Willesee storms home on debut for Harrington

Another day another winner for Jessica Harrington who saw her Willesee make a taking debut in the juvenile maiden over a mile in the Curragh.

The Gleneagles filly was out wide in rear of mid-division passing halfway before being asked for her effort inside the final quarter of a mile.

She still appeared to have plenty on her plate in fourth at the furlong pole with the front three moving clear.

However, a couple of cracks from Nathan Crosse saw her rocket into second in the final 150 yards and she readily stormed past 13/8 favourite Good Heavens in the closing stages to win going away by two and a quarter lengths at 16/1. Navagio completed the placings a further length and a quarter away in third at 3/1.

Harrington said: “Nathan said he always felt that she was going to get there.

“She was withdrawn at Naas because she wouldn’t go into the stalls and also at a barrier trial.

“Will Hayes has done some job on her and that’s why I’ve run her at the Curragh so he could come over. He’s at the start with her and leads her in. She trusts him now and maybe that will give her a bit of confidence.

“The owners (Emmaroo Bloodstock Partnership) are Australian.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee