Oscars Well is undoubtedly the star name on a quality team assembled by Jessica Harrington for the upcoming National Hunt Festivals at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
The six-year-old gelding really impressed when landing Grade 1 events at Navan and Leopardstown prior to an unlucky defeat in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
Robert Power's mount was in front when stumbling badly on landing after the last, and he'll now drop back in trip for the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.
“He goes for the two mile novice at Punchestown, and I am really looking forward to running him there. He was brought to a standstill after the last at Cheltenham, and I don't know how Robert stayed on. We will see what happens at Punchestown but at this stage I would say he will then have a nice summer off and come back for another year over hurdles,” said Mrs Harrington at a stable open day.
The Harrington yard at Moone, Co. Kildare can boast a winner from the recent Cheltenham Festival with RSA Chase hero Bostons Angel. However he's already earned a summer holiday following three narrow wins at Grade 1 level, and “dreams of going for the Gold Cup” are intact for the next few months at least.
The Ladbrokes-sponsored Irish Grand National is one of the few domestic jumping highlights to have eluded the trainer but she may be without a runner this year as both her entries, Got Attitude and Pontiac, are down the weights and unlikely to get a run.
“I really hope Got Attitude will sneak in to the National but if he doesn't get in he will head to Punchestown for a long distance handicap chase. I don't think Pontiac will get in which is a pity. He is a real stayer and has been very consistent this season. He jumps for fun and goes on all ground,” she said.
Chasing Cars came good in a handicap chase at Punchestown last year, and that is the plan once again. “He had a few setbacks this season but is a real spring time of the year horse. He needs good ground, and could easily be one for the Galway Plate in the summer.”
The Galway Plate could also be on the agenda for Roberto Goldback but his immediate target is the Imperial Call Chase at Cork on Easter Sunday. “He has been a nearly horse this year, and a mistake early on in the Ryanair at Cheltenham put paid to his chance. The Cork race is for second season novices which will suit him, and then it will be on to Punchestown. He likes good ground, and may go for the Plate at Galway.”
The Powers Gold Cup is the opening day highlight of the Fairyhouse Easter meeting, and Saludos is her intended runner although he will need some ease in the ground. “He has been great this season, and I just hope we get some rain next week so I can run him at Fairyhouse. He is in great form.”
Chaperoned has been consistent at a high level without winning in juvenile hurdles, and will run in 4yo hurdles at both Fairyhouse and Punchestown. “She has been freshened up and, if she doesn't win a Graded race, will be a novice for next season and can also run on the Flat later in the summer.”
Magical Memoir is another 4yo filly set to run. “There is a winners-of-one hurdle in Punchestown, and she'll go there and then mix it for the summer. I think she is really well handicapped on the Flat.”
Some black type is the main goal for Wood Lily, who is out of a half-sister to Best Mate. “She is heading to Fairyhouse and Punchestown for the mares races, and I am really looking forward to running her on better ground.”
Gimli's Rock, “a really tough horse who only wears blinkers to concentrate and always gives you 100%” will mix it between the Flat and hurdles for the summer, while Mrs Harrington nominated Native Palm as a dark horse to note. “I have always loved him. He works well but has run poorly on the track because he can't walk on soft ground. As soon as he gets fast ground he will win. The ground is the key and I hope he will be running at all the summer Festivals.”
Among a strong team of bumper horses for the Punchestown Festival, she singled out Jenari Law Rebel and Burn And Turn. Gimli's Return and Maller Truce both have the Landrover Bumper as a target.
National Hunt has always been the main focus of the yard but the Flat is playing an increasingly important role, and a recent influx of juveniles from the USA has the trainer excited that there may be another Pathfork or Laughing Lashes to aim at the classics.
Some two-year-olds to note are Canaille (by Giant's Causeway) “a gorgeous colt with lots of character”, Hell For Certain (by Mr Greeley) “a lovely individual and he has done very well”, Remember Alexandra (by Teofilo) “she has done a few bits of work and is doing everything right so far”, Maid To Master (by Danehill Dancer) “a full-sister to Mastercraftsman and a big filly who will not run until July” and Gush (by Empire Maker) “a gorgeous filly with a wonderful temperament, she seems pretty smart”.
Alan Magee
