Jessica Harrington: “The more rain that falls the better for Forge Meadow”

WE HAVEN'T had many runners over the last few days, but I was thrilled with Impact Factor yesterday when he finished second in the beginners chase at Gowran. He jumped great and he loved that soft ground and he just found one too good on the day.

It was a very good race and they went some gallop and the winner Cilaos Emery won a Grade 1 as a novice hurdler and he was second in a Grade 1 last season and came into the race rated 155 over hurdles

Impact Factor is a novice now until December and he the potential to develop into a very nice chaser. You never know, we might have a wet spring. Last year, the Irish National at Fairyhouse was nearly called off due to heavy ground, so we’d be hoping for more soft ground for him. He looks sure to win his novice chase and he should continue to progress.

All our horses remain on course for the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown and we’ll have an update on Supasundae and Sizing John next week. They are both in very good form and we’ll firm up plans for everything after the forfeit stage on Tuesday.

 

Fairyhouse – Saturday

3.20

Whydah (Paddy Kennedy)

This race is confined to horses that have yet to be placed over hurdles and he is going the right way and he seems to be improving. He jumps well and the more rain that falls for him, the better. He is rated 99 and if he ran to his mark, that would give him a chance in a race like this.

 

Naas – Sunday

1.50

Forge Meadow (Robbie Power)

She has been a very good servant and she’d really appreciate testing ground, so the more rain that falls, the better for her. We’ve shelved chasing with her and this will be her last season and she is in very good form. There are just five runners, but it is a very competitive race and Espoir D’allen comes into the race as the real improver and he could be hard to beat. Our filly will appreciate the small field and it’s a big plus that likes it around Naas. She was second in this race last year and she won a Grade 2 at Naas in 2017. The plan is that she will try and do her own thing up front.

 

2.20

Moonshine Bay (Barry Geraghty)

He is an improving horse and he ran well in the Grade 1 novice chase at Christmas time behind Delta Work and we’ll let him take his chance and see how he gets on. He gets three miles well – he won his beginners over that trip at Thurles. They are giving the ground as yielding, but that may change, as there is rain forecast for Saturday and soft ground may well suit him. It looks a good race and Sunday will help us determine future plans for him

 

2.50

Envious Editor (Robbie Power)

He is a good horse and I think the step up to two miles and three will help him. He was only touched off in a maiden hurdle at Naas last year and he has been second again since at Limerick. He has been running a bit free and I think this longer trip will help him settle. He is a fine big horse and the more rain that falls for him, the better. You’d have thought that if he reproduced his run here behind Rhinestone, that would give him a great chance.

 

3.50

Another Barney (Robbie Power)

He may have a nice mark over fences (114). He’s rated 124 over hurdles and he is learning all the time and while it will be his first handicap, I’d expect him to run well. It’s a novice handicap, so they are all in the same boat. A bit more rain will help him. He has a nice weight on his back, so we’d be hoping for a good run from him.

 

4.20

Spoke For (Finny Maguire)

He is a horse that has taken a long time to come to hand, but I think he is coming to himself now, so I’m hoping that he’ll run a nice race. He is a nice horse and Naas is a great track to start them off. I’ve been happy with him and we’ll see how he gets on.