APPLE CAN PIP ‘EM
BANK on Apple’s Jade to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Grade 1 BARONERACING. COM Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in Fairyhouse tomorrow.
Only Limestone Lad (1999, 2001 and 2002) and Solerina (2003, 2004 and 2005), for the Bowe family, have completed the feat.
And Apple’s Jade, a seven-time winner at the top level and primed for this task by landing last month’s Lismullen Hurdle in Navan, should take plenty of beating.
Narrow winner over Vroum Vroum Mag in this race two years ago, Jade slammed Nichols Canyon 12 months ago before beating subsequent dual Champion winner SUPASUNDAE in a three-miler at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
A little below par when third to Benie Des Dieux in Grade 1 mares races at Cheltenham and Punchestown, Gigginstown
House Stud’s mare looked as good as ever when coming home an 11 lengths winner from veteran Jezki in the Lismullen on her return to action.
And that fitness edge might see her home here at the expense of Supasundae, narrowly beaten by the selection at Leopardstown last Christmas before winning both the Irish and Punchestown Champion Hurdles, over two miles, victories separated by creditable seconds to Penhill and L’ami Serge at Cheltenham and Aintree respectively.
Lack of a run will be against Supasundae tomorrow. But he might still pose a bigger threat than LIMINI, reverting to jumping after a flat campaign, but a close third to Apple’s Jade in the OLBG at Cheltenham in March.
Fifth, off 140 in the Guinness Galway Hurdle, LE RICHEBOURG has started his chasing career in the best possible way, scoring at Listowel and Tipperary, where he beat prolific winner Robin des Foret in a Grade 3, and is my fancy for the Grade 1 BARONERACING.COM Drinmore Novice Chase.
A sound jumper, the Joseph O’brien-trained grey might possess too many gears for DELTA WORK, winner of the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham before running Next Destination close in a Grade 1 novice at Punchestown and successful on his fencing bow in Down Royal.
The five-runner Royal Bond, also sponsored by Barney O’hare’s Bar One firm, has attracted only five runners, but looks a difficult puzzle to solve.
Both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will be doubly-represented, with Elliott’s recent Punchestown scorer COMMANDER OF FLEET of particular interest, but not certain to be suited by the drop back to two miles.
The 140-rated ARAMON won the recent For Auction at Navan but might struggle to confirm form with his Ruby Walsh-ridden stable-companion QUICK GRABIM, which made a costly mistake two from home before staying on to finish fourth.
A winner at Listowel in September, Quick Grabim had earlier beaten Triplicate in a Grade 3 in Tipperary and might have the pace to land the spoils.
And Elliott’s, inset, COEUR SUBLIME, likely to step-up on his hurdle debut win in Down Royal, is napped to boost his Triumph credentials in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle which open tomorrow’s card.