Jessica Harrington ended an unusual barren spell for her yard when 12/1 chance Jetson took the ultra competitive 26-runner Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Her stable had been without a winner on the flat for 41 days (4 runners) and 40 days over jumps (48 runners) but Jetson’s win was quite a surprise as the trainer said: “He hates heavy ground. When we got the rain and it turned soft I thought ‘Oh God!’ but he handled it well.
“How he escaped the melee [at the fourth] I don’t know as he was just on the inside of the first horse that went. I never found out was was wrong with my horses. The vets said everything was OK.”
The winner made good headway to challenge at the last under Robbie Power and kept on for a three-and-a-quarter-length success over Sword Fish (33/1). 16/1 shot Adams Island was a short head behind in third, then there was an eight length gap back to Sweet My Lord (4/1 from 11/2 in the morning). Dooney Rock who led for most of the way, came home fifth at 28/1.
The money came for Toner D’Oudairies from the Gordon Elliott yard. From 8/1 in the morning and 9/2 at the track he was backed down to 7/2 favourite but weakened on the run-in to finish sixth with Davy Russell in the plate.
Charlie Swan’s Rourke’s Cross also had his supporters as he went off 8/1 having been double that price early doors. He was eighth.
At the fourth flight Rick fell and six horses were brought down – Schinkel Marlay Park Bruach Na Mara The Midnight Club Acapulco and Inspector Clouseau
Jetson has received an introductory quote of 20/1 by Stan James for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham.
Michael Graham
