A class above: Apple's Jade lands Irish Champion Hurdle in style

She's just far too good. Apple's Jade, sent off a strong 8-11 market leader, supplemented her claims for Cheltenham with an extremely impressive 16-length victory in the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle despite dropping down a mile in trip.

Campaigned over from two and a half to three miles since the backend of 2016, Apple's Jade, the first mare to win this race in 16 years, put to bed fears that the minimum trip could see her struggle with a superb performance from the front under Jack Kennedy.

She is now as short as 7-4 for the Champion Hurdle at the festival, while she remained unchanged at 5-4 with Paddy Power for the Mares' Hurdle, a race she won in 2017.

Eddie O'Leary of owners Gigginstown House Stud said: "She seems to be getting better, which is hard to believe. She's an awesome mare.

"Her last run last season wasn't her – she was in season the whole time and hopefully that doesn't happen again. Maybe she's stronger this year but she's definitely getting better.

"When we see her name in the racecard we all worry, but she's absolutely fantastic and I'm going to enjoy her while I can.

Gordon Elliott on Apple's Jade: 'If there's pace in the race that might even suit her better.'Credit: Patrick McCann

When asked on her Cheltenham target, O'Leary joked: "Did she win the Mares' last year? No. She'll go to the Mares'. That's been the plan and I don't know why we should change it.

"We will go to the Champion Hurdle if a gelding can run in the Mares'!"

Last year's winner Supasundae, who tracked Apple's Jade from the outset, was the closest pursuer to the market leader but never threatened to take the prize as Apple's Jade galloped away under hands and heels.

Petit Mouchoir, winner of the race in 2016, came home in third for Henry de Bromhead, while Melon finished fourth.

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