Magic Of Light is so tough in mares handicap

Jessica Harrington opened her account for the week at the Punchestown Festival as Magic Of Light dug deep to land the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old struck the front at the third last but was immediately tackled by Goodthynemilan who led two out.

The latter looked set to score jumping the last but soon came under pressure and it was Magic Of Light who finished the stronger under Robbie Power to score by a length and a half. Synopsis was all of 16 lengths back in third, with Teacher’s Pet a further 21 lengths adrift in fourth.

Harrington said, “Going to the last I thought oh no we are going to be second again. They have been running brilliantly all week but the ground has just been a bit soft for all of them and I thought it was a bit soft for her but she did it for me.

“She might not be the best but she’s very brave and she stays. Her last few runs have been a bit disappointing but she hates heavy ground and it was a bit looser today and I put a pair of cheek-pieces on her to get her travelling.

“Robert said she just didn’t travel in Fairyhouse and it definitely helped her as she was sweet all the way through the race.”

Reacting to the domination of Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins this season and the great success of the latter this week, she added “What Willie has done this week has been absolutely fantastic to have all those horses in such good form. It makes me want to try harder (to try and compete).”

Power said, "She got bogged the last day in Fairyhouse in deep heavy ground and it was a bit different here today and she is tough and honest.

"We had a discussion yesterday morning about putting on cheek-pieces on her and I said 'why not' as it might sharpen her up a bit and they worked the oracle.

"I was always told that if you keep knocking on the door, it will always open so hopefully it will now stay open!"

(TW & AM)