Harrington hopes for Doncaster success

Irish trainer Jessica Harrington may be represented by Zarinava in the Bet & Watch All Horse Racing at skybet.com Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.

Only 11 lengths behind the top-class Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over Christmas, the mare could come up against Chomba Womba in Yorkshire.

“She wasn’t beaten far by Hurricane Fly when she was third, she’s a good novice mare,” said Harrington.

“She likes flat tracks and I’m just trying to get a grip of where to go with her. Over here we seem to have some very good novice hurdlers and we seem to be taking on the geldings all the time so I thought it was a chance to go and take on some mares.

“At the moment I’m thinking of travelling but we’ll have to see what the ground is like. I don’t mind the fact rain is forecast as long as it is loose, she doesn’t want it tacky.”

Harrington has another smart mare on her hands in the shape of Give It Time, as low as 6-1 for the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

“Give It Time will head for the Cheltenham Festival and the mares race,” added Harrington.

“She will definitely improve for some better ground, she’s done all her racing this year in bottomless conditions.

“She’s getting nearer those geldings every time she runs against them. I’d hope she’d have a good chance at Cheltenham.”