Mighty Macs On Course For Gowran

Jessica Harrington has confirmed Macs Joy is on target for a pre-Cheltenham clash with Hardy Eustace and Harchibald in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran at February 17.

The eight-year-old ran a most encouraging third on his seasonal debut behind Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.

And with one more run beforehand, Harrington hopes she will have him spot on to go one better than last year when he chased home Brave Inca in the main event.

'I was absolutely thrilled with his performance in the AIG,' Harrington told At The Races.

'When they went down the back and it looked like he was losing touch I thought ?we really have left him very short or he's not as good as he was last year'.

'But suddenly he picked up and I couldn't believe my eyes.

'He has definitely improved physically for the run. I know he always runs well first time out, but he seems to be in great form now and he looks a lot fitter.

'He goes on any ground, he has won on heavy. I think he probably prefers better ground, but the soft doesn't inconvenience him that much.

'He will definitely go for the Red Mills. He's in good form. He will still have three weeks before Cheltenham and that's the plan at the moment.'

Harrington also confirmed her smart novice Hide The Evidence, who finished unplaced in the Leopardstown race, is on target for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival

'He came out of the race well, but he probably did a bit of self destruction on himself as he pulled too hard in that race,' she said.

'His target is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.'

(C) PA Sport