Forge Meadow (near side) and Identity Thief© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Jessica Harrington and stable jockey Robbie Power combined for the big races double at Gowran today as their Forge Meadow ran out the game winner of the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
Harrington and Power had earlier landed the featured Grade 2 Red Mills Chase with Cheltenham Gold Cup candidate Our Duke and Forge Meadow herself put in another battling display to gain her success.
The six year old daughter of Beneficial made virtually all the running but was headed by Identity Thief after the second last flight. However Forge Meadow rallied well to regain the lead early on the run-in and eventually beat off Identity Thief by a length and a half.
Afterwards Harrington stated “she was a bit slow jumping the second last but the other one (Identity Thief) didn't get away from her and she winged the last.
"She puts her head down and she loves galloping. She'll go two and a half on better ground but she won't go to Cheltenham as she doesn't travel. She went there last year and she melted.
"We'll go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown with her - there's a mares Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown and she could run in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse also.
"She won a Listed race early on (this season) and then to come back after finishing second twice is fantastic. She is her own madam and has to go down to the gallops first at home. When she wants to go, she has to go and you can't wait."
Quotes from Alan Magee
