Fresh from the victory of Magical Lagoon in the Irish Oaks at the weekend, Jessica Harrington bids for more success as she saddles two in the Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes at Naas this evening.
hat triumph at the Curragh handed the trainer her second Classic and she now heads to another of her local tracks with a fantastic hand to play in the Listed event.
Ardad’s Great appears the stable first string in the hands of Shane Foley. She is joined in the line-up by yard debutante Funny Money Honey, which was last seen finishing ninth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot having been trained in France previously.
“It looks like a nice opportunity for Ardad’s Great. She was very unlucky not to get her head in front against the boys at Tipperary the last time. She’s come out of that very well and we’re hoping for a massive run,” said Harrington’s daughter and assistant, Kate.
“Funny Money Honey is a filly we don’t know a lot about. She has come from a trainer in France. This will be her first run for us and we’re hopeful she will run a big race. She’s a very nice and uncomplicated filly.”
Alice Haynes’ Lady Hollywood will be looking to play a starring role in the five-furlong contest having made the journey from the UK. “She has gone up 9lb for that run (at Beverley), which would put her on 89 today and would put her right amongst them at the weights,” said Haynes.
Lady Tilbury was sent off 14/1 for the Queen Mary at Ascot, but was unable to land a blow, finishing 10th. However, she won two of her three outings before that and David Marnane is confident she can show her true colours here.
“She’s in good nick and we’re happy with her,” said Marnane. “We gave her a little bit of time off after Ascot and this is a nice fit for her now. She likes quick ground too, so it looks a good race.”
