Harrington hoping first-class Jett can propel her to Galway Plate breakthrough

Jessica Harrington has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, two Champion Chases, an Irish Grand National and eight Group 1s on the Flat, including a Classic, but the Galway Plate remains one glaring omission from her illustrious CV. That is something she is hoping Jett can sort next Wednesday.

Jett has been allocated top-weight for the Tote Galway Plate, alongside Peregrine Run and The Storyteller, but Harrington, who won the Galway Hurdle in 1994 with Oh So Grumpy, thinks Jett has a touch of class and reports his preparation to have gone swimmingly over the last couple of weeks.

Harrington said: "We've had the Plate in mind for quite a while with Jett. He has a touch of class and certainly wasn't disgraced in two Grade 1s behind Delta Work at Leopardstown when you last saw him. He's in great form at home."

Galway Plate entries

Betting opened up on the Galway Plate on Monday after the weights were revealed and Jett is as big as 25-1 with bet365 and Boylesports, with Paddy Power going 20-1.

Jett was purchased by Robert Waley-Cohen in the hope of having a crack at the Grand National in April. The coronavirus pandemic spoiled that plan, but a Galway Plate victory would be ample compensation and Harrington could not be happier with the nine-year-old who was fourth to Delta Work in the Irish Gold Cup in February.

The trainer added: "I doubt Sam Waley-Cohen will come over to ride so I would imagine Robert Power will. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Harrington will not be represented in the Guinness Galway Hurdle next Thursday, but Tony Martin reports last year's winner Tudor City to be on course to defend his title.

Tudor City: winner of the Galway Hurdle last year and on course for the race in 2020Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Interestingly, Tudor City has not ran over hurdles since his smash and grab raid in the race last year under a remarkable Robbie Power ride but is no bigger than 14-1 to become the first back-to-back winner of the race since Pinch Hitter in 1983.

Martin said: "If the top-weight Aramon, or those above my one in the handicap stay in, then he will run. He's 8lb higher than he was in the race last year, even though he only won by half-a-length.

"He seems well in himself and was a bit unlucky on the Flat the other day at Cork when he was squeezed out when he wanted to make a move. He lost a couple of lengths there, and would have finished a bit closer otherwise. It was a nice run and that should leave him spot on for Galway.

Watch Tudor City win the 2019 Galway Hurdle

"I'm not sure yet whether Robbie can ride again, it would be great if he could. There is the option of claiming off him as well."

Aramon has been installed as Ladbrokes' 7-1 favourite for the Galway Hurdle as Willie Mullins seeks to win the race for a fourth time.

Mullins, who was successful in 1996 with Mystical City and again with Clondaw Warrior in 2016 and Sharjah in 2018, has 13 possibles.

As well as Aramon, he could run Diamond Hill, last year’s Connacht Hotel Handicap winner Great White Shark and Foveros.

Aramax, winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, could spearhead Gordon Elliott's challenge as he attempts to win the race for the first time. He has also entered Grade 1 winner Felix Desjy.

Galway Hurdle entries

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