Harrington cool on Supasundae for Aintree
SThe County Kildare handler reports the eightyear-old to be in fine form, after finding only Penhill two lengths too good at Prestbury Park last week. “There’s not a bother on him. He’s in great form,” she said. “We’re not quite sure, but he might go to Aintree and Punchestown.”
Harrington will wait until she has talked with owners the Cooper Family Syndicate before making any plans for Our Duke.
Last year’s Irish Grand National hero disappointed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after finding conditions unsuitable.
“He hasn’t done much since he came back. He’s actually been in his stable because we’ve had snow,” said Harrington.
“He’s fine, he’s sound and back in one piece and that’s the main thing. I’ll be talking to his owners this week.”
Our Duke was Harrington’s only runner in the Gold Cup, with last year’s winner Sizing John with- drawn eight days before the race after sustaining a hairline non-displaced fracture of his pelvis. The eight-year-old has been having box rest before being reassessed.
“He gets re-scanned on Thursday this week and then we’ll have an update on him,” Harrington said.
Meanwhile, Jedd O’Keeffe has his sights set on Aintree with beaten Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Sam Spinner.
The Long Walk Hurdle winner could only finish fifth behind Penhill on Thursday after attempting to make all the running and O’Keeffe reflected: “I thought he ran very well but I don’t think he ran quite to his best.
“I don’t think the way the race was run suited him as he would have appreciated some company in front.
“The horse was probably a little inexperienced for making all on a stage like that.
“If he’d had some company on the first circuit a stronger pace would have seen him in a better light.”