Elliott has Champion Hurdle campaign in mind for star mare

Apple's Jade: one of the star names set to leave Willie Mullins

Apple's Jade: had to settle for second behind Rashaan in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down RoyalCredit: Mark Cranham

A former resident could come back to bite Willie Mullins after Gordon Elliott revealed to the Racing Post that Apple's Jade will be trained with the Stan James Champion Hurdle in mind this season, not the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

Mullins has won four of the last six runnings of the Champion Hurdle with Hurricane Fly (twice), Faugheen and Annie Power but Apple's Jade, the Triumph Hurdle runner-up who went on the win the Grade 1 juvenile hurdles at Aintree and Punchestown by a combined total of 50 lengths for the champion trainer, now looks the biggest danger to his dominance.

Apple's Jade is as short as 2-1 for the Mares' Hurdle but the Champion Hurdle, for which she is a general 8-1 chance, is her main aim and she looks likely to make her reappearance in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas on November 12.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 12 October 2016inNews

Last updated 12:45, 12 October 2016

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