The key questions as Apple's Jade bids to get her career back on track

2.00 Leopardstown
Frank Ward Memorial Hurdle | 3m | Grade 1 | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Might a return to her happiest hunting ground spark Apple's revival?

Apple's Jade is back where she belongs. Leopardstown has long been the love of her life and she has won this race for the last two years on the trot.

The problem is her form figures since her last visit to the track now read 63523. She is four from four at Leopardstown, she is ten from 21 everywhere else.

The Hatton's Grace was the latest chapter of her recent tale of woe as she was beaten 13 lengths by Honeysuckle. She steps back up to three miles and Gordon Elliott has been doing everything he can to get her career back on track. She even sports cheekpieces for the first time.

Elliott said: "She seems in good form and we've put cheekpieces on her for the first time. She has definitely improved at home in her work since Fairyhouse, but I wouldn't just say she's where she was.

"Her record at Leopardstown is unbelievable so hopefully she can run well. She's had a day out hunting with Keith Donoghue and she is in good form, but we will just have to see where we are with her."

Could Harry continue to prove age is only a number?

Unowhatimeanharry celebrates his 12th birthday in a few days time but he dismissed Bacardys by three lengths in the Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in April so who are we to say he is not the force of old?

The 2016 Albert Bartlett winner was below par in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month, but we should know by now that you write Unowhatimeanharry off at your peril.

"He loves his trips to Ireland, so hopefully the change of scenery can bring about some improvement," said trainer, Harry Fry.

Will Bacardys prove to be good back-up for absent Benie?

There is no Benie Des Dieux but Willie Mullins has an able deputy in Bacardys who has looked better than ever this season.

Bacardys has already beaten Apple's Jade in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and was ahead of her when second in the Hatton's Grace.

The fact champion jockey Paul Townend has picked Bacardys over dual Cheltenham Festival winner Penhill is surely a tip in itself.

Penhill won the 2017 Albert Bartlett and followed up with victory in the 2018 Stayers' Hurdle. He seems to save his best for the Cotswolds so it will be interesting to see how he fares here under Robbie Power for the first time.

Killultagh Vic, who beat Thistlecrack in a Punchestown Grade 1 in 2015, completes the three-pronged attack from Closutton.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips