Jessica Harrington Aiming For Grand National And Classic Double This April

KILDARE, IRELAND – Trainer Jessica Harrington is hoping for a Grand National and Classic double in April as she intends to have stablemates Magic of Light and Cadillac participate in the upcoming races, per Racingpost.com.

Of course, there aren’t many trainers who could imagine such, but with Magic of Light said to be in top shape after her eighth in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, there is marked optimism.

Cadillac and La Vega will be split between New Market and the Curragh, with fillies Cayenne Pepper and Alpine Star set to lead a team of Harrington’s older flat horses. Meanwhile, Lough Lein, No Speak Alexander, and Zaffy’s Pride are the lead contenders in the 1,000 Guineas category.

April will mark just the second time Harrington’s had a horse in the Grand National. Magic of Light came in second to Tiger Roll back in 2019, but there is hope she could improve on that for first place this time around, with Harrington pretty happy with her display at the Festival. She will be joined by stablemate Jett, poised to don headgear for the first time.

“Magic Of Light and Jett are all set for the Grand National,” Harrington said. “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.”

Magic of Light is currently 20/1 for first place, with the 4/1 Cloth Cap the outright favorite. There are also tips to be found at bet-grand-national.co.uk.

“Cadillac and Lucky Vega have come through the winter well,” Harrington said of the flat team. “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.”

Cayenne Pepper is in line to return at York next month, while Alpine Star could run the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Despite Millisle, Albigna, and One Voice being retired to the paddocks, Harrington retains an impressive older team for the flat.