Harrington eyes up first British Classic as Discoveries primed for Newmarket

Success in a British Classic is one of the few major landmarks that Jessica Harrington has yet to achieve during her sensational career but the master trainer will aim to put that right when sending out Discoveries for a crack at next month's Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Last season's Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine is the latest top-level performer to emerge from a most remarkable Niarchos-bred family, being a sister to Harrington's superstar miler Alpha Centauri and a half-sister to Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star.

Whether or not the daughter of Mastercraftsman would contest the first fillies' Classic of the season in Britain or Ireland this season had been undecided.

However, speaking at a press morning from her Commonstown base on Monday, the Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer revealed that Discoveries will go straight to Newmarket, provided ground conditions are suitably quick.

Discoveries: got the better of Agartha in last year's Moyglare Stud StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Layers have priced the spectacularly well-bred filly between 10-1 and 14-1 to upset unbeaten Fillies' Mile star Inspiral and Cheveley Park Stakes scorer Tenebrism on May 1.

"All being well, she goes to Newmarket," said Harrington.

"That's if the ground is fast, I won't run her without getting that ground because she's like her sister [Alpha Centauri] in that she doesn't want slow ground. The quicker the ground, the better she goes."

Harrington added: "She's done well over the winter, I'm happy with her. All of her family has got a mile and Alpine Star got a mile and a quarter. You'd imagine she'll get a mile perfect. Her work has been pleasing me."

Discoveries' dam Alpha Lupi has been the gift that keeps on giving for Harrington and the Niarchos family, but no two of her offspring have been overly similar.

Harrington said: "It's an amazing family. You could line the siblings up and they're all different to each other. Alpha was a big grey. Alpine Star was a little, low, insignificant filly at about 15.2 hands, mealy chestnut.

Jessica Harrington with Alpha Centauri after winning the 2018 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann

"Discoveries is bay with a big head, and her two-year-old brother called Simpson's Paradox is a very pretty and attractive colt. He's a middle-of-May foal and is only starting to grow now, he's quite small. Then we have a two-year-old colt by Galileo out of Alpha Centauri."

Stable jockey Shane Foley came within half a length of winning last year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas on Lucky Vega and believes Discoveries has the qualities required for the fillies' equivalent.

"I think she'll have no problem [with the track] - she's a good mover," said Foley.

"She goes everywhere with her ears pricked at home - she keeps it for the track. Physically she's done well and her form from last season is solid. I think Tenebrism and Inspiral are the two main ones."

Harrington has made a bright start to the new Flat season, particularly with her two-year-olds, registering smart juvenile winners at the Curragh and Dundalk.

Harrington turned 75 in February and has that number of two-year-olds for the coming months, with her Flat operation showing no signs of slowing down.

Sizing John: provided Jessica Harrington with Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2017Credit: Ian Walton

Roughly 80 per cent of her 180 horses are now on the level, while she admitted to a sleepless night on the eve of the Flat season as to whether her team of two-year-olds would live up to her expectations.

Harrington said: "What I've noticed with the two-year-olds this year is that they're all well grown, they're strong horses. Normally I'd get a few little small ones come in, but these have all got size and scope about them and have all done well over the winter. They're all pretty forward in their coats."

She added: "In terms of ambitions, I want to win more Classics and races abroad. There are a lot of things on that list that I haven't done yet. I'd like a Breeders' Cup, a winner in Australia, Hong Kong or Japan - all those sorts of places."

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