Harrington, Power combine for Irish National triumph
DUBLIN: Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning duo trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Robbie Power joined forces to great effect again on Monday to land the Irish Grand National with Our Duke at Fairyhouse.
For 70- year- old Harrington – whose Gold Cup win came with her first ever runner in the blue riband Sizing John – it was another outstanding training performance as the winner was running in his first handicap chase. For both Harrington and Power it was their first win in the Irish National.
“These are all firsts for me - it’s not bad for a 70-year- old,” said Harrington, who is the only woman to train the winner of the Cheltenham Triple Crown – the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Power, who has had a remarkable season after fracturing his left eye socket in a fall last July, steered the seven-year-old gelding home to a 14-length victory over Bless The Wings, who was also runner-up last year. “This means so much to me, it’s my local racecourse and I was second in it a few years ago so this is nice compensation,” said 35-year- old Power, who wears special goggles to compensate for his double vision which was a result of his fall.
“Once he got a good view of his fences and got plenty of light we were going to be happy.
“He just travel led so wel l everywhere, he is just a very good horse,” added Power, who won three races at the Cheltenham Festival (all for Harrignton) and four at the recent Grand National three- day meeting.
Our Duke, who was slashed from 25/1 to 14/1 for next season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup on the back of his win, earned his owners Cooper Family Syndicate, which comprises Sloane, Nigel and Billy Cooper, their sister Hazel and her husband, a first prize of 270,000 euros (£ 229,000, US$ 287,000).
“They bred him, they own him, they refused a lot of money for him this year and they are fantastic,” said Harrington.
Far from sated, though, was Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary who owned an astonishing 13 of the 28 runners and failed completely with his best finisher, fourth-placed Thunder And Roses.