Twist Magic

Sent off at 5/1 and with Sam Thomas deputising for an injured Ruby Walsh, Twist Magic won by five lengths to establish himself as a top class two mile chaser.

Twist Magic was ridden by Sam Thomas after Ruby Walsh selected Master Minded, and was well beaten behind that horse after making a bad mistake three out.

[10] Twist Magic gained compensation for the loss when winning the Grade 1 Punchestown Champion Chase in April, defeating his stablemate Natal by nearly two lengths.

Twist Magic disappointed when sent off 13/8 favourite in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, finishing sixth behind Fiepes Shuffle, who had also fallen in the Tingle Creek.

[12] Despite failing at the track twice, Twist Magic again ran in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, but was unruly in the parade and unseated Sam Thomas, then fell at the fourth last fence as Master Minded recorded his second win in the race.

[14] Twist Magic again made his debut in the Haldon Gold Cup, but put up a better performance than the previous year, running on in the final furlong to take third behind Planet Of Sound.

[16] Seemingly revitalised by the new front running style, Twist Magic made amends for his defeat in the Victor Chandler Chase two years previously by winning the race by twelve lengths from Petit Robin.

[18] A trip to Ireland for the Punchestown Champion Chase ended in disaster when he refused to race at the start, leaving Golden Silver to win from Forpadydeplasterer.

[20] Twist Magic returned in the Haldon Gold Cup for the third year running, this time failing by half a length to concede 19 lbs to his stablemate Tchico Polos, who was ridden by Ruby Walsh.

[21] Plans to run in the Tingle Creek were scuppered when Sandown was lost to the weather and the race was transferred to Cheltenham,[22] a track Twist Magic did not prefer.