Autumn Evening (far side) and Dark Voyager jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington's focus has switched to flat racing in recent times but the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winner bagged a big-race jumps winner today, with Autumn Evening in Listowel's Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle.
Harrington's hugely successful flat operation has swept the country with 20 winners already this month, including two at Group 1 level, but also recorded a chase win with Exit Poll 17 days ago and added a Grade B hurdle success with Autumn Evening today.
Jockey Sean O'Keeffe held the son of Tamayuz in mid-division on the inner for much of the race, producing him to lead jumping the last, before staying on well for a four lengths win over top weight Dark Voyager
Sizing John's trainer Harrington was represented by her daughter and assistant Kate Harrington, who said “we gave him a nice good break after February and he strengthened up. He had a run back at Tramore and was meant to run at Gowran two weeks ago but didn't run as the ground was too quick for him.
“We hoped we had him fit enough for today but he has been really good and two miles will probably be his minimum. We could step him back up to 2m4f throughout the season and I think he'll be competitive in those handicaps.
“We'll also go back and try and win one on the flat before the flat season is out. It is great for Joe (O'Flaherty) who is a great supporter and it is also lovely to win the Liam Healy Memorial Race.
“We have very fond memories of him so it is a privilege to win his race.”
Today's race is run in memory of late racing photographer Liam Healy, from Listowel, who passed away in July 2016.
