3 minute read

Jessica Harrington became the most successful female trainer ever at the Festival after 16/1 shot Supasundae claimed a decisive two length victory in the Coral Cup, the third race on day two, Ladies Day, of the Cheltenham Festival.

Always travelling well throughout the two mile and five furlong contest under Robbie Power, the seven-year-old son of Galileo travelled powerfully entering the home straight and found plenty for pressure after winging the final flight to draw away from second-placed Taquin Du Seuil (12/1), trained by Jonjo O'Neill. Alan King's Who Dares Wins (33/1) was a further two and a half-lengths back in third, whilst Noel Meade's 66/1 chance Monskland was a length behind in fourth.

Harrington was level with Jenny Pitman on eight Festival winners coming into the this year's meeting, but Supasundae's success now makes Harrington The Festival's winning-most female trainer with nine victories.

The gelding was originally trained by Andrew Balding before he was purchased by Ann & Alan Potts, going on to finish sixth in the 2015 Weatherbys Champion Bumper and seventh in the 2016 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival for Henry De Bromhead.

Switched to Harrington's yard this season, the trainer was delighted with the horse's performance, commenting:

"I've taken time to get to know him. He has run well on his last two runs but was just getting stuck in the mud and the more it dried out, I thought he would be a different horse on good ground. He is Flat-bred and really liked that good ground.

"He's run in the Champion Bumper and Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival so it's good that a horse can come here where he has run before and he was just brilliant today.

"Robbie gave him a lovely ride. He was always where he wanted to be, had a little bit of space and was just off the pace.

"It is absolutely fantastic. I inherited Supasundae this season from Henry de Bromhead.

"I don't know where Supasundae will go next. He might just step up to Graded company, I don't know whether he will be good enough or we may just go for another handicap."