Harrington Cheltenham's golden girl due to Power surge
LONDON, March 18, 2017 (AFP) - Irish trainer Jessica Harrington waited till she was 70 to have her first runner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but her patience paid off when Sizing John eased home.
Given a superb ride by Robbie Power, who put behind him a season which has seen him sidelined with a serious eye problem and a fractured cheekbone, Sizing John seized the initiative at the second last when favourite and two-time runner-up Djakadam hit it so hard he broke part of the obstacle.
Victory ensured Harrington became the most successful woman trainer in Festival history and sees her join two- time winner Jenny Pitman and three- time winner Henrietta Knight in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Hall of Fame.
The duo rounded off the four day Festival with another winner, Rock The World -- their third of the week and Harrington's 11th at the Festival including the Champion Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
"This is the jewel in the crown, absolutely amazing," said Harrington.
"The Gold Cup is the race I've listened to at first -- being of that pre-TV racing generation -- and then watching it since I was so high."
For Power the victory meant more than when he won the 2007 Grand National.