The key questions as Apple's Shakira bids to get punters off to a flyer

1.30 Cheltenham
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m1f | 4yo | ITV/RUK

Is it a case of once bitten, twice shy for Apple's backers?

Apple's Shakira will be many punters' idea of a banker to launch the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, when she will need to avoid the fate of her sister Apple's Jade, who sunk accumulators galore when getting turned over at 1-2 in the Mares' Hurdle on Tuesday.

She does, however, need to better only eight rivals in what is the first single-figure field for the Triumph Hurdle since 1965.

Apple's Shakira has been favourite for the Triumph since winning by 17 lengths on her British debut at Cheltenham in November - she previously won her single start over hurdles in France - and has dealt with relatively light opposition on both of her subsequent starts, again at Cheltenham, winning at 1-10 and 1-7.

As such, this is likely to be the most demanding test of her abilities by some distance, but she has shown stomach for a fight and should cope with testing conditions.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I've always thought she wanted better ground, but she's gone on this and is a nice horse who will handle the ground."

Will Redicean's flat track form transfer to Cheltenham?

Like Apple's Shakira, Redicean is unbeaten in three runs over hurdles, but unlike his market rival his background is on the Flat, like 13 of the last 17 winners of the Triumph, in which sphere he recorded a top rating of 85 and recorded a peak Racing Post Ratings figure when winning over a mile and six furlongs on soft ground.

Also unlike Apple's Shakira, this will be Redicean's first race at Cheltenham, having done all his racing over hurdles on the level surface of Kempton, a very different proposition to Cheltenham's undulations.

That, however, is not worrying trainer Alan King, who is bidding to notch his third Triumph Hurdle, having won with Katchit in 2007 and Penzance two years before that.

King said: "I'm not concerned about his handling the stiffer track at Cheltenham as he stayed well on the Flat, though I’m sure he’ll prove a better horse on ground less testing than is likely to be the case here.

"He's done everything we've asked, winning each of his three runs for us at Kempton, and has delighted me at home since his latest victory in the Adonis last month.

"It’s a high-quality Triumph but Redicean is definitely in the mix."

Is the winner within the Mullins quartet?

Not since 2002 has Willie Mullins won the Triumph Hurdle and if the market is to be believed success may well elude him this year again, but with his quartet of Stormy Ireland, Mr Adjudicator, Saldier and Sayo representing almost half of the nine-strong field it will not be for want of trying.

Stormy Ireland is perhaps the most highly regarded of the four. Despite the name her career began in France, where she was placed on the Flat and over hurdles, but she got off the mark only when making her Irish debut at Fairyhouse, where she romped to a 58-length victory against weak opposition in a heavy-ground maiden.

Mr Adjudicator has already won a Grade 1 - the Spring Juvenile Hurdle last month - and is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, having previously won twice on the Flat, while Saldier posted a ten-length victory in a maiden hurdle at Gowran on his sole start over obstacles.

Or will one-shot Elliott take the prize?

Farclas, a former French-trained Flat winner, represents Gordon Elliott and has yet to open his account over hurdles, but he finished second behind Mr Adjudicator in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Elliott said: "He's in very good form. I think the track will suit, although he'd probably prefer the ground a bit better. We're tying a tongue-tie for the first time."

Completing the field are the Gary Moore-trained Sussex Ranger, who was second in the Grade 1 Future Champions Finale at Chepstow in January, and Gumball, who chased home Apple's Shakira on her British debut and "probably wants better ground" according to trainer Philip Hobbs.

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