“When McNair is mouthing off, I just turn my phone around and show him the photo of the Trainers Championship Trophy. He’s never won it. It normally shuts him up . . . . . well at least for a minute or two.”
When the opportunity to contest the ARC Judgement Night arose, there was an additional bonus that went beyond the six £1,000 invitation races. It was the chance for Jimmy Wright to score some points off his old flapping rival Rab McNair. (Thankfully Angela Harrison and Liz McNair rise above the rivalry of their two squabbling kennel boys).
In fact, it was the non-participation of Liz (3rd) and Ernie Gaskin (6th) from last year’s points table which eventually gave Angela the chance to step up with Gemma Evans, Hayley Keightley, and now Ricky Holloway, also pulling out of the one-off meeting which replaces the old GTA Trainers Championship meeting. (The remaining place is taken by another McNair sparring partner – John Mullins).
The Harrison kennel last won the event in April 2019 and after finishing tenth on the 2020 trainers table are looking considerably stronger now. Assistant trainer Jimmy has been picking their team for the September 6 fixture at Nottingham.
The kennel’s first ace is their Puppy Classic finalist Coolavanny Aunty who will contest the night’s puppy event.
Jimmy said: “She came over from Noel Browne with two others. She always looked decent enough but has just got better and better. I would rather she were drawn in red on Monday because the one isn’t a natural railer but if she comes away she would have to have a big chance.
“For the sprint we plan to run Potent Touch who is a very good dog at Newcastle with tremendous early pace. I just hope he adapts to Nottingham. For the 500 we have Droopys Conrad who is another nice young dog who I expect to progress in the coming months.
“For the maiden we have Agilis Georgie. She has been running in A2 at Newcastle and hasn’t really shown her Irish form yet. She has 28.80 for at Enniscorthy and hopefully we will see some of that very shortly. For the 680, we plan to run (Summer Stayers Classic winner) Coolavanny Bani with (Ladbrokes 480 Puppy Final winner) Moanteen Mikey for the puppy race.”
Team Harrison are due to trial on Nottingham on Monday.
