Apple's Jade and Magic Of Light among possible Tiger Roll rivals in Boyne Hurdle

Star mares Apple's Jade and Magic Of Light could clash with the returning Tiger Roll in Sunday's Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan after a 14-strong field for the Grade 2 was revealed on Tuesday.

The double Grand National hero was a surprise 25-1 winner of the 2m5f race last year but connections have been vocal about the fact their popular star will not be as sharp this time, having missed time due to a small chip in a joint suffered in November.

Gordon Elliott had suggested that Apple's Jade, who disappointed in the Galmoy Hurdle last month, could go straight to the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham after her recent defeat by Benie Des Dieux but features in Sunday's possible runners.

Mares' Hurdle contender Magic Of Light was a convincing winner in Grade 2 company at Ascot and has been handed an entry for the €45,000 race this weekend, while former Stayers' Hurdle winner Penhill is also in the reckoning.

Eddie Harty's improver Kilfenora, rated 152 after a pair of Grade B handicap wins, could make his first appearance at this level if taking up his engagement at the Meath venue.

Fellow JP McManus-owned Darasso has three entries this weekend, including the Boyne Hurdle, but could become the first back-to-back winner of the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran since Theatreworld in 1998 if he lines up at the Kilkenny venue on Saturday.

Perhaps most intriguing of the eight entries for the 2m Grade 3 is Cilaos Emery, a potential Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase dark horse who came to grief at the first in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase won by Chacun Pour Soi this month.

The eight-year-old has not been seen over hurdles since finishing second to Mick Jazz in the 2017 Ryanair Hurdle, but Saturday's assignment could serve as a confidence booster ahead of Cheltenham.

McMahon explained: "Willie didn't want to run him over fences trying two and a half miles on heavy ground in the Red Mills Chase so close to the festival so he's been given an entry in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle on the same card.

"He may or may not run, but after falling at the Dublin Racing Festival it could act as a confidence booster for him back over hurdles. The Champion Chase would still appear the target for him. He's been fine since Leopardstown."

The Grade 2 Red Mills Chase on the same Gowran card could be a cracker, with Irish Gold Cup absentee Chris's Dream one of 12 possible runners for the 2m4f event, which also sees a Willie Mullins-trained trio of Bellshill, Real Steel and Voix Du Reve in the mix.

Elliott is also triple-handed in the race won by Monalee a year ago, entering Hardline, Death Duty and Shattered Love, while Noel Meade could be represented by Snow Falcon and Tout Est Permis.

Pat Doyle's Kaiser Black could make his first start since a commanding Grade 3 win at Naas last March, with the Emmet Mullins-trained Zero Ten also potentially taking a big step up in class after his Punchestown engagement was cancelled this week due to weather conditions.

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