Jessica Harrington Optimistic On Her Cheltenham Runners

Jessica Harrington Cheltenham Preview:

Jessica Harrington is a gracious lady, fond of many, many talents.

Very few trainers can say they have sparked success at both Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival.

Last year, the Niarchos Family-owned Alpha Centauri flew her flag on the flat by recording four consecutive Group One victories, namely the Irish 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Jacques Le Marois in France.

Sadly the 3yo was retired after finishing second to the Karl Burke-trained Laurens in the Matron Stakes, having suffered a career ending injury at Leopardstown.

Harrington has also been unfortunate with injuries in the National Hunt sphere in recent campaigns, with her 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John - a horse who arguably put her back on the map, skipping the Festival for a second consecutive season.

A trainer who once housed the great Moscow Flyer - winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2003 and 2005, Harrington has acquired Jezki into her ranks - formerly victorious for another yard in the Champion Hurdle.

However, the 11yo will also miss his engagements in this year's Festival due to the fact trainer and owner JP McManus believe he is poorly treated compared to other runners in the field.

Harrington provides an update on both in the video below and where we can hope to see the duo next.

Aside from those she still has a realistic chance of a few Festival hopefuls, and maps out her plans with Press Conference, Woodland Opera and Forge Meadow - all of whom holding potential cards to play throughout the week.

Her best chance of winner surely lies with last year's Stayers Hurdle runner-up Supasundae - who also has great form at the Festival having won the Coral Cup the season before in good style.

He could head back to the Stayers, or opt to drop back to two miles to take on Apples Jade again in the Champion Hurdle on the Tuesday, but the decision is yet to be finalised.

Representing the Irish at the Unibet Preview on Monday night, Harrington spoke of the chances that the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have bringing over to Prestbury Park next week.

She had her say on big topics such as Benie Des Dieux heading to the Mares without a run, the threat of Henry De Bromhead's Honeysuckle in the Mares Novice, along with the fact that we could see some very surprising results in the week to come.

Enjoy!