The real Apple's Jade is back as she bids for ninth Grade 1 in Christmas Hurdle

Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) | 3m | 4yo+| ATR/RTE2

No horse has managed to win back-to-back renewals of this since Bannow Bay in 2000-2001, but Apple's Jade isn't just any old horse.

At just six years of age, she already has eight Grade 1 victories on her CV, and will be a short price to make that nine for trainer Gordon Elliott and regular rider Jack Kennedy.

Coming here off the back of a 20-length triumph in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, Apple's Jade is reported to be back to her best by Eddie O'Leary, racing manager to owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Watch Apple's Jade win the Hatton's Grace

O'Leary, who attributes below-par efforts last spring to the mare coming into season, said: "It looks as though we have the real Apple's Jade back, as she just wasn't herself last spring.

"Hopefully she'll be her usual self and bouncing around the parade ring ready for action."

He added: "She was very good last time but this will be another test for her with Faugheen in there. She's in good form, but we respect the opposition."

Gigginstown will also be represented by the Elliott-trained Cracking Smart, a high-class novice hurdler from last season who returns from a 355-day absence.

On the prospects of the long-time absentee, O’Leary said: "Cracking Smart is a very nice horse but he'll need the run badly. We're going to keep him over hurdles this season and go chasing next year."

Faugheen: looks to bounce back in the Christmas HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Faugheen boasts his own impressive track record and Rich Ricci’s ten-year-old rates the main danger to Apple's Jade.

The 2015 Champion Hurdle winner returned to form last spring when recording a triumphant ninth Grade 1 success of his career in the Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown festival.

He steps back up to three miles here after being put in his place over the minimum trip by his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Sharjah in the Morgiana Hurdle last month.

Champion trainer Mullins also saddles Bapaume, another owned by Ricci, and the Graham Wylie-owned Shaneshill.

The field is completed by Jessica Harrington's 2014 Champion Hurdle winner Jezki and Early Doors, trained by Joseph O'Brien, both of whom are owned by JP McManus.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: “Jezki ran well off a big weight at Fairyhouse last time and is in good form, while Early Doors has a bit of ground to make up on the top ones."

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