Awesome Apple's Jade joins elite club with third Hatton's Grace win

She was billed as the star attraction on Fairyhouse's triple Grade 1 card and Apple's Jade more than lived up to that billing producing a sensational performance to win the baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle for the third season in a row.

In the words of the song it was a case of "once, twice, three times a lady" as the Gigginstown House Stud-owned mare trounced her rivals, winning by 20 lengths and sealing the 12th victory of her career.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old, sent off 4-6 favourite, was given a bold ride by Jack Kennedy, eyeballing Wicklow Brave for most of the 2m4f Grade 1, with the rest of the field trailing in the pairs' wake.

After shaking off Wicklow Brave effortlessly, Apple's Jade turned into the straight and powered clear, in so doing emulating, Solerina, who won the race three times in a row (2003-2005) and Limestone Lad, the only other three-time winner of the event.

Supasundae was hard at work a long way out and could never land a blow, staying on to finish a remote second with Limini two lengths back in third.

A delighted Kennedy said of the eight-time Grade 1 winner: "She was unreal. You don't have to make the running on her, her jumping was brilliant today, she was very straight. It's a dream to be riding a horse like her.

Jack Kennedy was delighted with Apple's Jade after her scintillating winCredit: Patrick McCann

"She definitely wouldn't be disgraced [in a Champion Hurdle], but the Mares' Hurdle is there for horses like her. It's up to her connections, but I wouldn't mind riding her in any race to be honest.

"I was always comfortable enough on her and we went upsides Wicklow Brave a few times to push him along."

Elliott was similarly delighted and said: "She's very good and that was a fantastic performance. We're very lucky to have her. We expected her to improve from her good win at Navan and she's certainly done that.

"She'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas, probably for the three-mile Grade 1. We'll take it from there and she'll have a few entries at Cheltenham, so we'll have options.

"I do take the view that you should run in the race you have the best chance of winning and for that reason I'd say the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle is likely to be the race for her at the festival."

Paddy Power and Betfair cut Apple's Jade to 2-1 favourite (from 3-1) for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race she won in 2017 but, in something of a surprise, was unable to follow up in last season.

BoyleSports and Coral make her 7/4 (from 3-1) for the same event while BoyleSports go 6-1(from 12-1) for the Stayers' Hurdle.

Although Supasundae was beaten out of sight by the winner his performance more than pleased trainer Jessica Harrington who said: "I'm delighted with him. He always takes a run after his summer break and Robbie [Power] said he blew up twice during the race.

"He should come on a lot for the run and he'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas for the three mile Grade 1, even if that means taking on Apple's Jade again."

Fairyhouse results

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