Bacardys stuns Navan crowd to down Apple’s Jade in Lismullen Hurdle

Joy turned to unease and then to shock at Navan on Sunday as Apple's Jade, sent off at the shortest odds of her amazing 24-race career, had no answer to the exuberant Bacardys in the Lismullen Hurdle.

The sense of excitement at seeing the hugely popular mare back on the track was quickly replaced by one of dismay as the ten-time Grade 1 winner, sent off at odds of 1-4, fluffed her lines in the Grade 2 with Bacardys sweeping past under Paul Townend to provide Willie Mullins with his third success in the race.

Watch: Barcadys runs out an impressive winner of the Lismullen Hurdle

Mullins now has plenty of options for a rejuvenated Bacardys, who was winning for the first time since April 2017.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said he would speak with Apple's Jade's owners at Gigginstown House Stud to formulate a plan, before adding: "She's been the horse of a lifetime."

The result had seemed likely a long way from the finish as Apple's Jade never seemed to be comfortable in the lead.

Connections pose with Bacardys following his smooth win in the Lismullen HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

The win for Bacardys represented a rare victory for Patrick Mullins over his father Willie, who was not ready to give up hope on a chasing career for the gelding until his son convinced him otherwise.

Explaining the situation, Patrick Mullins said: “Myself and Willie had a bit of an argument about three weeks ago as he wanted to school him over fences and I was saying he should stay over hurdles. We won one argument with him, which is unusual!”

He added: “He deserved that. It's his first win since I won on him at Punchestown a couple of years ago. He looked fantastic in the parade ring beforehand and had a great coat on him.

"He ran very well in the spring in those staying hurdles but was always coming off a bad chasing preparation.

Gordon Elliott: 'We’re disappointed she didn’t win but she’s not a machine'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“Hopefully now with a full season over hurdles he can be competitive in the staying hurdle races at Cheltenham and at Punchestown.

“He probably has the speed for the Hatton's Grace and maybe the Aintree Hurdle as well. All those options are open.”

Elliott could not offer any explanations as to why Apple’s Jade misfired, but hinted that the great mare may well be paying the price for a few tough seasons at the top.

He said: “We scoped her and she was clean and the vets examined her and she was grand. Puppy [Robbie Power] said she never showed any zest at all. She’s been on the go a long time – she’s had four hard years, so we’ll see how she is afterwards.

“Listen, she’s been second in a Grade 2 and runs her heart out every day. We’re disappointed she didn’t win but she’s not a machine.”

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