JADE TO NIC WIN
Apple has edge for Grace glory
WITH a recent run under her belt, Apple’s Jade might have the edge over Nichols Canyon in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, one of three Grade 1 events on an intriguing card in Fairyhouse tomorrow.
Between them, the leading contenders have bagged 13 Grade 1 races. And, while the Willie Mullins runner, Nichols Canyon, boasts the superior overall form, Apple’s Jade is a high-class performer in her own right, has the benefit of a run and, in receipt of 7lb, might be capable of repeating last year’s win in this race, when she saw off Vroum Vroum Mag.
Pipped in the Fighting Fifth on her seasonal debut a year ago before landing this prize, Apple’s Jade beat Vroum Vroum Mag in the OLBG Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham and ended her season when slamming Airlie Beach in a Grade 1 mares event at the Punchestown Festival.
On her return, she outpointed Jer’s Girl in the Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) at Navan, an outing which should leave her spot-on tomorrow.
The selection is rated 8lb inferior to Nichols Canyon which has won on his seasonal bow in each of the last three seasons.
Winner of the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March before failing narrowly to Unowhatimeanharry at Punchestown, with Footpad 18 lengths away third, Nichols Canyon has the distinction of being the only horse to have beaten the mighty Faugheen, in the 2015 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Paul Townend’s mount is adaptable in terms of trip, being a Grade 1 winner at two and three miles. And, normally ridden prominently, he’ll prove a tough nut to crack.
But the concession of 7lb to Apple’s Jade might prove beyond him on his seasonal bow in a field which also includes 159-rated seasonal debutant SUPASUNDAE and Nichols Canyon’s stable-companions AUGUSTA KATE and CILAOS EMERY.
Gordon Elliott-trained DEATH DUTY will start a short-priced favourite to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase.
A Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season before flopping at Cheltenham, he finished third behind Bacardys and Finian’s Oscar at Punchestown.
And he has done little wrong in his two starts over fences, if a little unconvincing first time in Tipperary. He impressed at Punchestown last time, slamming Tous Est Permis and subsequent Grade 2 winner Woodland Opera.
And he’s expected to triumph here, against the Mullins-trained RATHVINDEN, already a four-time chase winner and a solid yardstick, and DINARIA DES OBEAUX, a four-year-old filly, winner of her two chase starts and set to receive 15lb from the market-leaders.