Magique looks just magical
POUVOIR MAGIQUE will probably go off at skinny odds in the Lookers Handicap at Newcastle, but he is hard to oppose in what appears to be a Royal Ascot warm up.
John Gosden’s charge has been limited to just one start so far this term, but the form of that Newbury win looks pretty decent as he was chased home by Victoria Cup winner Ripp Orf.
Fourth-placed Zwayyan also turned in a good effort to finish second at Nottingham last week, making Pouvoir Magique’s 6lb hike in the handicap even more justifiable, particularly given the relative ease of his victory.
While he switches back to the allweather here, this Le Havre gelding won on the Tapeta at the back-end of last year and this race must surely be intended as another confidence boost before the Royal Hunt Cup in a couple of weeks’ time.
Alfie Solomons was a bit green on his debut at Newbury but can step forward for that run in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
He tried to do it the hard way on his first attempt, but was not really geared up for a battle when push came to shove.
The experience should not be lost on him though and this looks like a slightly easier opportunity.
Light Of Joy impressed when winning at Leicester on her return and can follow up in the Pin Point Recruitment Fillies’ Handicap.
David Lanigan’s charge counts Shiva and Light Shift among her relatives and she clearly has a bit of ability herself, albeit certainly not of their calibre.
Weather Front is the one to follow for Karen McLintock in the NCS Group Ltd Handicap after a decent second at Leicester last time.
Diakali is an interesting proposition as he turns his hand to fences in the netbet.co.uk Novices’ Chase at Fontwell.
Rated as high as 158 over hurdles when with Willie Mullins, Diakali is now in the care of Gary Moore and has had two unsuccessful starts over hurdles for his new team.
He has race a bit keenly on both occasions and failed to get home, so perhaps he can fare a little better if running with more restraint in this new sphere. WELSH Cricket Cup holders Cardiff are into the last 16 of this year’s competition despite not throwing or hitting a ball, writes Jay Bayford.
They were due to take on Blackwood Town at Highfields but the Gwent club couldn’t field a side and conceded the tie, which put Cardiff, who also won the cup in 2014, straight into round three.
2016 champions Mumbles are also through after a routine six-wicket victory against Felinfoel at Marespool.
Felinfoel inserted themselves after winning the toss but a dreadful first innings saw them bowled out on 54 after just 19.1 overs.
None of their batsmen managed to break into double figures with Andrew Thomas top-scoring with eight.
Adam Frangakis-Williams (3-9) and Dan Lewis-Williams (3-19) did most of the damage with the ball in hand.
Mumbles would have been confident of knocking off the runs and they managed to do it with Gavin Williams hitting 18 and Matthew Shepherd whacking 11, although they did lose four wickets to Julian Griffiths (4-21). It was a tale of two centuries as Ynysygerwn saw off Port Talbot Town by eight wickets.
Anthony Thomas guided Port Talbot to 233-5 after hitting 123 from 103 balls.
Yuvraj Odedra was not to be outdone and he boasted an unbeaten century (116no), which helped Ynysygerwn to victory on 234-2.
Alex McCormack (46) and Adam Bray (40) also played their part in the win.
But neither Thomas nor Odedra could get close to matching Jeremy Lawlor as he hit a staggering 144 as St Fagans booked their place in the next round at the expense of Newbridge.
Opening batsman Lawlor set St Fagans on their way to victory after Newbridge won the toss and put them in to bat.
Matthew Thompson also bagged 81 as St Fagans scored 288-3.
In fairness to Newbridge, they did surpass the 200-point mark thanks to Will Davey (74) and Christopher Hartland (36) but bowler George Heldreich bagged 4-29 to bowl them out on 226 and give St Fagans a 62-run triumph.
Ammanford, runners-up in 2010 and 2015, eased their way into the next round courtesy of a big 129-run success over Llangennech at the Recreation Ground.
Strong displays from Craig Maloney (55), Rhodri-Huw Davies (47) and Mathew Fisher (43) saw Ammanford reach 198-6 in the first innings.
Christopher Hickey (34) and James Taube (22) were Llangennech’s danger men but after they were both dismissed, Ammanford bowled them out on 69 thanks to Sean Croaker taking 4-29.
2015 champions Colwyn Bay are also through after beating Northop by 129 runs along with Penarth, Chepstow, Brymbo, Cresselly, Neyland, Neath and Tata Steel.
2014 runners-up Pontarddulais face Carew on Sunday while Prestatyn host Dolgellau and Connah’s Quay welcome Buckley.
Round three is due to take place on Sunday, June 24, with all the teams aiming to make the final at the Swalec Stadium, home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, on Sunday, September 2.