Jessica Harrington dances to Alpha beat

In the past 18 months, Jessica Harrington celebrated numerous firsts: A first Irish Gold Cup victory, first Cheltenham Gold Cup success, first Irish Grand National, and became the most successful lady trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival.

The only surprise was that they were firsts, as Harrington has long been a leading National Hunt trainer.

But there is more than one string to Harrington’s bow and yesterday afternoon, at the Curragh, the sprightly 71-year-old added Classic glory to her long list of achievements when Alpha Centauri pounced late to land the