Opera on song for Harrington & Power

Robbie Power bounced back from a frightening incident at Gowran yesterday with a win in the opening I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Navan today, scoring on the Jessica Harrington trained Woodland Opera

At Gowran yesterday Power fell from Neverrushacon, which was brought down at the second last. However that 'routine' fall was made worse as Neverrushacon got to his feet, with Power 'hung up' and dangling upside down from a stirrup strap wrapped around his ankle.

Quick thinking from fellow faller Bryan Cooper helped restrain the horse but along with five other helpers, took all of 45 seconds to eventually free Power's leg.

Today the Grand National winning jockey showed no ill affects and moved the son of Robin Des Champs to lead jumping the final flight. From there they recorded a three parts of a length win over Coney Island

Following the win, Harrington later commented "I'd say he'll come on a lot from that, and we probably won't see him now until Christmas where he'll go for the Grade 1 (at Leopardstown) over two miles. At the end of the day he's going to be a chaser so anything he does over hurdles is a bonus.

"Robbie (Power) said he's bone idle and he took a blow after the last. He stayed going and I'd say it was a tidy race.

"If he'd run last weekend he could have gone for the Royal Bond but he just wasn't ready."

Woodland Opera's win was a fifth success in 11 days for Moscow Flyer's trainer Harrington and a fourth in November for Power.

By Tom Weekes quotes from Alan Magee