Harrington's Cheltenham team on show Jessica Harrington opened her gates to the press this morning as she put the final touches to her team for Cheltenham. A mixed bunch of 19 horses worked on the Moone trainer's gallops including her contenders for Prestbury Park. Robbie Power put Champion Hurdle hope Oscars Well through his paces while former jockey John Shortt was aboard exciting novice hurdler Steps To Freedom. Harrington has four “definites” and a “few possibles” set to travel for the big festival meeting in a fortnights time. A place finish in the opening day highlight is the aim for Oscars Well, who chased home champion Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown last month. “He shows you nothing at home and you have to be careful not to overcook him as you often think he needs more work although he doesn't,” said Harrington of the seven-year-old. “His jumping has gotten very slick and he's been improving all year. Hopefully he's coming to a peak. “The Champion Hurdle is obviously a very hot race and I'd be delighted if he finished in the first three. “He has the option after of going for the two-and-a-half mile race at Aintree and he'll go chasing next year when he'll probably be a two-and-a-half mile horse.” The opening day could be a memorable one for Harrington with Steps To Freedom among the leading contenders for the Supreme Novice Hurdle. The Flat recruit is unbeaten in three starts over timber and will be a popular selection to get the Irish off to a perfect start for the week. “I think he's got a good bit stronger. He's tightened up a bit, even from his trip to the Curragh yesterday,” said Harrington. “We toyed with the idea of running him at Dundalk and even entered him but decided against going there. “He had a busy enough Flat season and then won his three races (over hurdles). I'm very happy with him.” Jetson has not been seen in action since winning a Pertemps qualifying race at Leopardstown over Christmas and is set to line up for the final of that series. “He likes good ground and that's the reason we haven't run him,” explained Harrington. He could be joined on the boat by his half-brother Jezki, who stayed on well to make a winning debut in a Leopardstown bumper last month. “He'll probably run on Sunday and we'll see what we do then. He's much hardier than his brothers.” Saludos, who runs at Thurles tomorrow, holds an entry for the Grand Annual but he is far from a certain runner. “He falls a bit between two stools in that he's not quite good enough for the top races but is high enough in the handicap. “He wouldn't run at Cheltenham if the ground was fast.” (AM & GC)
