Jessica Harrington achieves remarkable result in Punchestown as mare wins twice in 5 days

It was an interesting move in many ways for trainer Jessica Harrington to entire Wings Like Arion into the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday afternoon just five days after winning in Gowran Park, but it proved a fruitful decision as the impressive six-year-old edged to a thrilling win under jockey Robbie Power.

In a tight finish between three horses, Bee a Beneficiary came home in second and Lady in Lavender was just behind by half a length.

“It was the right decision (to run again so quickly) - I very rarely do that but I thought I had to,” said Harrington following the race.

“Robbie said she was off the bridle all the way down the back and they went much quicker today. He gave him a squeeze going to the third last and she suddenly went on. He said she was actually idling up the run-in and as soon as they started, she felt them coming to her. She had a bit in the locker.

“She'll have a little bit of a break now and then we'll find a similar contest for her. She jumps great which is the brilliant thing about her.

The day belonged to the ever successful duo of Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, who are enjoying a storming season of results. The pair landed a treble, with the most impressive leg coming in the final race as Poorman’s Hill captured the final race of the day, the 2m6f Handicap Hurdle. It was another notable success for the improving seven-year-old, with Elliott’s assistant, Ian Amond, stating; “He was a good buy and he's won six for us now. He's been a star so far and there might be one or two left in him.

“He can mix it between both fences and hurdles and it's great when they can back up like that, and he's done it twice now.”

That followed up wins for Sir Carno and Godthynemilan for the Gigginstown trainer. There were also wins on the day for trainer Charles Byrnes with Oscar Lantern and trainer Denis Hogan with Moyhenna, while Eagle Lion won the 2m4f Maiden Hurdle for trainer Patrick Kelly.