APPLE OF GORD’S EYE
APPLE’S JADE oozed class in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.
Gordon Elliott’s even-money favourite showed her rivals no mercy from the front under Jack Kennedy and powered home six lengths clear of Nichols Canyon (2-1).
The Gigginstown-owned star is now as short as 6-4 in places to repeat last season’s success in the OLGB Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival.
Elliott and Kennedy also claimed the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle with Mengli Khan (evens fav). The progressive gelding travelled smoothly throughout the two-mile contest and showed a potent turn of foot to beat Early Doors (7-1) by five lengths.
The four-year-old is now a general 6-1 favourite for the Supreme at Cheltenham in March.
The handler completed a Grade 1 treble with Death Duty (8-11 fav) in the Drinmore Novice Chase. The six-year-old jumped well for Davy Russell and stayed on strongly up the run-in to cosily dismiss Rathvinden (3-1) by three lengths.
OPTIMUS PRIME (1.10) can take another step up the chasing ladder for Dan Skelton at Plumpton.
The five-year-old was a useful hurdler last season and outpointed the talented Tommy Silver on his fencing bow at Worcester last month.
The ex-French gelding jumped well that day and can continue to progress in his new career for his shrewd connections.
CULTURE DE SIVOLA (1.40) can strike for in-form trainer Nick Williams. The mare relished the step up to three miles when slamming Ramses De Teillee at Chepstow in October and remains unexposed as a stayer.
ITOLDYOU (2.40) can enhance his fine record at the Sussex gaff in the Tysers Handicap Chase.
Linda Jewell’s veteran was a good second to Amiral Collenges at Fakenham in May and is worth chancing on his seasonal return.
D’NAILOR (1.30) looks solid in the IJF Handicap Chase at Fakenham.
The gelding has taken a liking to this venue since joining Jennie Candlish and will be fit after a good third to Enjoy Responsibly over course and distance on his return.
YOURHOLIDAYISOVER (3.00) can just shade a trappy two-miler for Tom Gretton. The 10-year-old was a respectable third to the progressive Bredon Hill Lad at Ffos Las and won’t mind the likely soft conditions.