Elegant Escape new Ladbrokes Trophy favourite after Listed strike

Elegant Escape pipped long-time leader Thomas Patrick to win a scintillating running of the Listed Future Stars Intermediate Chase at Sandown.

Despite incurring a 4lb penalty for the win, Colin Tizzard's six-year-old is now a general 8-1 favourite for the Ladbrokes Trophy, with the impressive second promoted to 12-1 (from 16).

"He picked up nicely in the end," said assistant trainer Joe Tizzard. "He's a second season chaser who ticks a lot of boxes for the Ladbrokes Trophy and he's very similar to Native River, who won the race in 2016.

"It couldn't have gone any better. He's a horse who will improve and we look forward to taking him to Newbury."

The 4-6 favourite Terrefort was found to be sore behind after struggling home fourth of four runners for Nicky Henderson, who won last year's race with Might Bite, and has been pushed out to a general 14-1 shot for next month's Newbury feature.

Apple's Jade makes impressive return

Apple's Jade made every inch of the running to win back-to-back Lismullen Hurdles and move to the top of the Mares' Hurdle market.

The six-year-old, who set off at evens on her Navan reappearance, bounced back from disappointing runs at Cheltenham and Punchestown at the tail-end of last season to win by 11 lengths.

"She felt like she did at the start of last season – back to herself," said trainer Gordon Elliott. "We thought she was working well at home and when we saddled her up she was like a bull."

Jockey Jack Kennedy, who rode Apple's Jade at Cheltenham last season, had it all his own way at Navan.

"It's brilliant to get back on her," he said, "It's great for her to be back to herself today and hopefully she can continue like this for the rest of the season."

Apple's Jade is now a general 3-1 joint-favourite with last year's Mares' Hurdle winner Benie Des Dieux and will bid for a hat-trick in next month's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Dual Grade 1 winner Identity Thief suffers fatal injury at Navan

Winning start for Kilbricken Storm

Last year's Albert Bartlett winner Kilbricken Storm survived a late scare to win on his chasing debut at Ffos Las.

The seven-year-old, who put in a mixed round of jumping to lead for most of the contest, saw off a late surge from Cobolobo to win in a photo finish.

"I'm glad he put in a clear round," said trainer Colin Tizzard. "His jumping wants to be polished a bit."

Kilbricken Storm, now a 16-1 shot for the RSA Chase, could be aimed at the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury in three weeks.

Improving chaser strikes again

Ballyoisin ran out an emphatic 23-length winner in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan to earn a Champion Chase quote.

Enda Bolger's seven-year-old, who was sent off as 8-13 favourite, struggled at the last, but that was not enough to take the shine off a commanding performance under Barry Geraghty.

"He's a thrill a minute and was well up for it today," the winning jockey said. "He always wants to attack his fences. He winged about three or four down the back and was still wanting to do that at the second-last and the last.

"About ten strides away from the last, I was saying 'woah, woah, woah, there is no need for anything spectacular here' and it took him until the final one of those ten strides to listen to me."

Ballyoisin is as short as 20-1 first show with Sky Bet for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.