Harrington's Arion gains second win in a week

Wings Like Arion followed up last Thursday's Gowran success with another at Punchestown today as the Jessica Harrington trained, Robbie Power partnered mare landed the Toals.com Bookmakers (Mares) Handicap Hurdle.

The daughter of Beneficial was officially 5lbs 'well-in' under today's 6lbs mandatory penalty and in the end scored a snug three parts of a length win over Bee A Beneficiary

Harrington later said “it was the right decision (to run again so quickly) - I very rarely do that but I thought I had to.

“Robbie said she was off the bridle all the way down the back and they went much quicker today. He gave him a squeeze going to the third last and she suddenly went on. He said she was actually idling up the run-in and as soon as they started, she felt them coming to her. She had a bit in the locker.

“She'll have a little bit of a break now and then we'll find a similar contest for her. She jumps great which is the brilliant thing about her.

“It's great for Geoffrey (Ruddock, owner) who leases her off the breeder (Michael Byrne). It's great to get him back in the winners' enclosure because he has a nice young horse. It's great for him because his wife isn't very well.”

Quotes from Gary Carson