JADE IS A REAL GEM
APPLE’S JADE cruised home at Leopardstown yesterday after market rival Faugheen suffered a crashing fall.
Jack Kennedy, on the winner, was being stalked by Ruby Walsh aboard the ex-champion when Faugheen hit the deck two out in the Grade One Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle.
Faugheen stayed down for several anxious moments but eventually got to his feet.
Apple’s Jade was winning at the highest level for the ninth time but she is still unlikely to target the Champion Hurdle in March.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “Jack said she was brilliant and foot perfect everywhere. He gave her a kick at the second last and she picked up, changed gears and was gone again.
“It was unfortunate to see Faugheen falling and we don’t know what would have happened but it probably would have taken a fair one to go past her.
“She might come back here over two miles in the Irish Champion Hurdle. At Cheltenham, she will probably go for the race I think she can win. That might be the Mares’ Hurdle.”
Kemboy bolted up in the Savills Chase after David Mullins ignored the instructions of his uncle Willie.
The jockey took the bull by the horns after there was a lack of pace and sent the six-year-old to the front after a mile.
Kemboy got an easy lead before scooting clear in the straight at Leopardstown.
A big leap at the last sealed it and the 8-1 shot powered seven lengths clear of Monalee, with Road To Respect, who stumbled badly three fences out, running on well in third.
Kemboy entered the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture as the new third favourite, with Paddy Power slashing him to 10-1 from 50s.
Willie said: “When I saw David going on past the stand, I was thinking about what choice words I was going to say to him afterwards.
“But he said they just slowed down the race too much and his horse was keen.”
David said: “Everything went to plan except we had to just let him go.”
Kemboy was stepping up in trip having won the Clonmel Oil Chase on his return. Mullins had abandoned a proposed tilt at Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy due to bad weather.