Red-hot Harrington shares 34/1 double with Madden

Jessica Harrington continued her golden run of form when teaming up with Tom Madden for a double at Gowran Park as Minnie Haha landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

The Commonstown trainer was making it 13 winners in the past fortnight and a 34/1 double on the day after Silence Please made a successful debut under Madden in the opener.

Minnie Haha had proved a frustrating sort to follow in the past and was opening her account here at the 14th attempt.

The French-bred four-year-old made headway on the inner to lead about two furlongs out, and the 4/1 chance drew clear inside the final furlong to beat Festina Plente by four lengths.

The front-running Time Stands Still was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Harrington said, “It's about time! She's been placed 11 times in 13 runs, it's really rather staggering.

“She did that well today. She had a wind op before her last run and it seems to have worked. She was just putting her head up a little bit.

“It's great and Gerry (Byrne, owner) has been very very patient. Most people would have given up but she's got her head in front now and it's brilliant. She's actually up 3lb since her last run, for finishing second. It's great for Tom as well.”

(GC & AM)