Magic double? Harrington's hopes alive of Grand National and Classic success

Not many trainers can go to bed dreaming of winning a Classic and Grand National in the same season, but Jessica Harrington may live out that reality in the next month.

Harrington reports 2019 Grand National runner-up Magic Of Light to be in rude health ahead of her date with destiny following her eighth in the Mares' Chase at the festival, while live 2,000 Guineas contenders Lucky Vega and Cadillac are likely to be split up between Newmarket and the Curragh.

Top-class fillies Cayenne Pepper and Alpine Star spearhead the team of Harrington's older Flat horses, while Lough Lein, No Speak Alexander and Zaffy's Pride are the emerging contenders in the 1,000 Guineas category.

Magic Of Light and Robbie Power on their way to winning the Grade 2 Matchbook Betting Podcast Mares' Hurdle at Ascot in 2019Credit: Edward Whitaker

Amazingly, Harrington never had a runner in the Grand National before Magic Of Light chased home Tiger Roll two seasons ago, but the mare will be bidding to go one better on April 10 and will be joined by stablemate Jett, who will be fitted with headgear for the first time.

Harrington said: "Magic Of Light and Jett are all set for the Grand National. Jett will run in blinkers or a visor, and I was delighted with Magic Of Light's run at Cheltenham. She has come out of that in great form and the trip was just too short for her. I expect her to run very well at Aintree."

Of her exciting Flat team, Harrington said: "Cadillac and Lucky Vega have come through the winter well. Lucky Vega will go to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas, while Cadillac will stay at home for the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. They seem to have done very well and I'm happy with them.

"Lough Lein will run in one of the Guineas trials and will run in one of the 1,000 Guineas races after that. The same applies to No Speak Alexander and Zaffy's Pride. It's a nice problem to have dividing all these horses. All I hope now is they have trained on."

Jessica Harrington: 'We have lots to look forward to in the older brigade.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Millisle, Albigna and One Voice may have been retired to the paddocks, but Harrington still has an outstanding team of older horses for the Flat.

Cayenne Pepper could return at York in May, while Alpine Star has the Tattersalls Gold Cup on her agenda. Barrington Court was also spoken about in a positive light with a view towards staying races.

The trainer said: "We have lots to look forward to in the older brigade. Cayenne Pepper, Alpine Star, Silence Please, Barrington Court, Free Solo, Leo De Fury, Tauran Shaman, Ancient Spirit and Indigo Balance – there are plenty there. The pick of them would probably be Cayenne Pepper and Alpine Star. They will be going for Group 1s this season, hopefully.

"Cayenne Pepper and Silence Please got an entry today for the Middleton Stakes at York in May. We never got a clear run with Cayenne Pepper last season, but she still won a Group 2 and was second in two Group 1s. I'd like to try her again over a mile and a half this season. We could run her at York and hopefully end up at the Breeders' Cup again."

Harrington added: "Alpine Star will probably go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then to the Pretty Polly. She can come back to a mile or a mile and a quarter, it doesn't really matter to her.

"Barrington Court is a nice mare to have as well. She will go for the long distance races this season."

Jessica Harrington details

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