Benie Des Dieux and Apple's Jade to go head to head in climax to title battle

Title rivals Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are set to face off against each other in Saturday’s two Grade 1 races on the final day of the Punchestown festival.

The Mullins-trained Benie Des Dieux, winner of the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, renews rivalry with the Elliott-trained Apple's Jade in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle, for which 12 have been declared.

Apple's Jade was on Thursday the 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power, who make Benie Des Dieux 13-8.

Triumph Hurdle first and second Farclas, trained by Elliott, and Mr Adjudicator, trained by Mullins – 9-4 joint-favourites with Paddy Power – are then set to take each other on in Saturday’s AES Champion 4YO Hurdle, another €100,000 contest, in which a maximum of nine go to post.

Henllan Harri, the winner of last year’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, is a reserve for Saturday’s contest and faces missing out. Blaklion, who fell at the first in the Grand National, and Cheltenham Festival winner Missed Approach were on Friday the general 7-1 favourites for the 20-runner 3m5f contest.

Champion Chase winner Altior will face five opponents as he bids to crown his season with success in the Celebration Chase. Maghull Novices’ Chase winner Diego Du Charmil, Special Tiara, God’s Own, Ar Mad and San Benedeto take on Nicky Henderson’s star.

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