MOONSTONE MAGIC has been unearthed a decent opportunity at Nottingham in which to gain a confidence-boosting success.

Ralph Beckett has far loftier goals this week as Secret Gesture runs in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday, but the Kimpton handler will be desperate for this one to get off the mark this term.

Beckett brackets this four-year-old daughter of Trade Fair as being one of the best in his yard, and it is not difficult to see why.

Last season’s Fred Darling winner might have struggled in the 1000 Guineas last May, but she again demonstrated her unquestionable gifts on her return at the Curragh.

Moonstone Magic clearly needed the run in the Group Three Athasi Stakes over seven furlongs, but stayed on stoutly to take third spot behind the high-class Viztoria and Bunairgead, who was not disgraced in Sunday’s 1,000 Irish Guineas.

Beckett steps her back up to a mile for the totepool.com Conditions Stakes, which should help her cause quite considerably, while the forecast rain is also another positive for a horse who has already shown a fondness for give underfoot.

This race, in which she is in receipt of 5lb from all of her rivals, looks just about perfect for her before Royal Ascot.

Champagne Babe is a tentative shout in Beverley’s feature race, the Hilary Needler Trophy.

The daughter of Captain Rio made quite a splash on her debut at Thirsk, when she strode three lengths clear in a maiden which has worked out pretty well.