JADE IS THE APPLE OF GORDON’S EYE
HAVING landed jump racing’s big two – the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National twice – Gordon Elliott now has his eye on Champion Hurdle glory with Apple’s Jade.
After a demolition job when landing the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown earlier in the month, the seven-year-old is now a serious player in her trainer’s opinion.
“If she runs to the form she’s been running in this season, she has a big chance in the Champion Hurdle,” said Elliott yesterday.
“She’s come out of her last run well. She’ll have two more little bits of work and then it will be all systems go for the Champion Hurdle.
“I was nervous coming back against the geldings over two miles but she showed how good she is.
“This year she’s gone from strength to strength. We’re very lucky.”
Cheltenham has not always brought the best out in Apple’s Jade. The mare was found to be in season when beaten by Benie Des Dieux in both the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season and when defeated by her at Punchestown, but Elliott believes his team can monitor the situation.
Elliott had hoped Samcro would be his Champion Hurdle runner but a lung infection had ruled him out of the contest.
However, in recent weeks the gelding has been thriving and has the option of running in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
“Cheltenham is coming fast enough,” said Elliott, who was the leading trainer at last year’s Festival.
“He has options at Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree. The next 10 days are important – I can’t tell you any more than that.”
“No decision has been made on where he’s going yet.”
Either way, Elliott will take a cautious approach with last year’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner.
Elliott has earmarked Battleoverdoyen for this year’s Ballymore Hurdle. “He did not run at the Dublin Festival as I felt he had a busy season.
“He’s in great form but lacks a bit of experience. He’s a nice horse and I can see him running a big race.”
As for another Cheltenham Gold Cup victory, Elliott will be represented by Shattered Love, winner of last year’s JLT Chase at the Festival.
“If the ground turned up soft, like last year, I would give her an eachway chance,” added Elliott.
Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy, who has become an enigma after missing numerous engagements, has an entry in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Philip Reynolds, the gelding’s owner, said: “The horse is in great shape, and we may run him this weekend.
“We wanted to run him last Saturday at Gowran but the rain did not come.”
“We will have to check the ground is alright.
“The rain has come. At this stage it’s 50-50 if he runs at this stage.”