Apple’s Jade leaves her rivals trailing
Smart mare lands third Hatton’s Grace Hurdle Elliott steals Fairyhouse show with four winners
Apple’s Jade proved the star of the show on a talent-packed card at Fairyhouse yesterday, which included three competitive Grade One contests
The mare produced a stunning display to claim her third victory in the baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, always racing prominently with Wicklow Brave and then pulling effortlessly clear of a decent field to win by 20 lengths.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “You are always nervous when you’ve got something like her running, and when she went down and jumped the last it was a big relief.
“Horses like her are what the public want to see and I’m lucky enough to be training her.
“Jack [Kennedy, the jockey] said he knew halfway down the back there was plenty there. She loves a fight and is something else.”
The baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase produced a thrilling finish between two smart prospects, with Delta Work, ridden by Davy Russell – who enjoyed a treble on the day – proving just too strong for Le Richebourg and Barry Geraghty in a driving finish.
Delta Work, one of four winners during the afternoon for Elliott, was always travelling strongly, as was Le Richebourg, and the pair pulled steadily clear from the second last. Le Richebourg hit the front after the last, but Delta Work battled back to win by a hardfought half a length.
Elliott – who won this race with subsequent Gold Cup winner Don Cossack in 2013 – said: “He jumped well and showed a good attitude. You would love the way he picked up from the back of the last after missing it.
“He’s not the biggest, most robust horse in the world, but he’s a nice horse and we’re lucky to have him. I’d imagine Leopardstown at Christmas will be the plan. All he does is jumps and stays. I liked the way he travelled through the race today.”
Quick Grabim benefited from a shrewd tactical ride by Ruby Walsh to give Willie Mullins his eighth victory in the baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. It is 20 years since the Irish champion trainer first landed the Grade One prize with Alexander Banquet and he has since scored with the likes of Hurricane Fly (2008) and Nichols Canyon (2014).
Walsh sent his mount straight into the lead and was allowed to dictate the pace. He steadily raised the tempo and then kicked decisively turning for home.