Robbie Power on Supasundae, Sizing John & The American Grand National

This week at Jessica Harrington’s yard we put a few novice hurdlers and novice chasers through their paces and we had a busy morning on Thursday.

I also took a trip to the Curragh with Supasundae and Sizing John, who did their first big bit of work together. They worked very well and we’re very happy with both of them. They’re where we want them to be at this time of the season in terms of fitness and they’re both in great form.

Horses with a few years on them can get cute to a bit of work at home, so to bring them away for a day with a change of scenery helps and they both worked on the sand gallop at the Curragh and they lit up when they went away, so it was a very pleasing morning.

I’m making my first trip across the Atlantic to ride Jury Duty in the American Grand National in Far Hills, New Jersey on Saturday.

He’s got a massive chance.

He’s in good form and he got a good prep run at Gowran Park when he was 2nd to Woodland Opera. He had a disappointing run in the Kerry Grand National but the ground was horrible that day and he’s a horse who likes good ground, which is what he’ll get in America.

Gordon Elliott has had this plan hatched since he was a good third in the Galway Plate so hopefully it comes to fruition.
I’ve watched some YoutTube videos and Ruby Walsh won the race on Rawnaq who had plenty of pace.

Apparently it’ll be a lot sharper than some tracks in Ireland but Jury Duty has the pace.

Ross Geraghty has been riding in America for the last number of years and he’s going to walk the course with me and give me some first-hand information about the track. It’s fantastic prize money, there’s a huge pot and it shows you how Gordon has his finger on the pulse all over the world.

Hopefully if Jury Duty takes well to the trip over he can take his chance. The race is at about 4pm and I’m on the 8.30pm flight home out of New York to get back for Cork on Sunday. Plenty of travelling ahead, but if we get a winner in the States it will all be worth it.