Gord so sweet on Apple
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 equivalent 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 at his Co Meath yard, while watching the mare exercise on the sand gallop.
“She’s come out of her last run very well. She’ll have two more little bits of work and then it will be all systems go for the Champion Hurdle.
“We’ll just keep her ticking away. She doesn’t need to do a lot of work between now and then – she’s pretty fit. I was nervous coming back against the geldings over two miles (in the Irish Champion Hurdle) but she showed how good she is. This year she’s gone from strength to strength. We’re very lucky.”
But Cheltenham has not always brought out the best in Apple’s Jade and she will have to lower the colours of dual champion Buveur D’Air.
Apple’s Jade 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 contender this season but a lung infection ruled him out of the contest. But in recent weeks the gelding has begun to thrive and has the option of running in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
“Cheltenham is obviously coming fast enough,” said Elliott who was the leading trainer at last year’s Festival with eight winners.
“He has options in Cheltenham, in Punchestown and in 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.
He 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,” said Elliott. “He’s in great form, but he lacks a bit of experience. He’s 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.
“If the ground turned up soft, like last year, I would give her an each-way chance,” added Elliott. “She has to have an each-way chance as she won well there last.”