Mischief Magic looking to ace G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial

Breeders’ Cup winner Mischief Magic aims to book his Royal Ascot place on his three-year-old return in the G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot, UK, on Wednesday, 3 May.

The Exceed And Excel colt rounded off a highly progressive two-year-old campaign with an impressive victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November, when he swooped from last to first for a cosy length success.

That performance came on the back of a series of strong efforts in the UK, including an emphatic win in the G3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park and a staying-on fourth in Newmarket’s G1 Middle Park Stakes.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “We have been pleased with Mischief Magic. He is better suited to a bigger field and a sounder surface but it’s very much a starting point for the season and hopefully a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Cup.”

Kempton Park scorers Dancing Goddess and Veil Of Shadows encounter turf for the first time in a mile novice contest for three-year-old fillies earlier on the card.

Dancing Goddess readily won on her debut in November before finding Running Lion a length too strong at the same course in April.

Veil Of Shadows got up on the line to beat Spring Promise on her only previous outing in February, with the runner-up franking the form with two subsequent wins at Lingfield Park.

Charlie Appleby added: “Switching Dancing Goddess to turf will be interesting. We were pleased with her first appearance of the season and she has definitely come forward for that run.

“Veil Of Shadows is also racing on turf for the first time and has done little wrong at home. We are trying to gauge what level we will be aiming both fillies at over the coming months.”