Star mare Apple's Jade to race in headgear on next Grade 1 assignment

Apple's Jade is set to race in headgear and over a longer trip when she tries to regain the winning thread and add to her ten Grade 1 successes over Christmas.

That is the plan outlined by trainer Gordon Elliott, who is not for throwing in the towel with the seven-year-old mare after she failed to win the Hatton's Grace for a fourth year in a row at Fairyhouse on Sunday, being beaten 13 lengths into third by the undefeated Honeysuckle.

Elliott said on Monday: "Apple's Jade seemed fine this morning. We haven't made a definite plan yet but I'd imagine she'll probably go to Leopardstown for the Grade 1 [The Squared Financial] Christmas Hurdle over three miles on December 28. She won the race last year and I haven't given up on her yet.

"We'll probably try her in headgear for the first time and see how things go and then review things. She hasn't fired so far this season but she owes us nothing."

Elliott also reported Samcro none the worse from his fall in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase when upsides the winner Fakir D'Oudairies two fences from home.

Samcro: trailing Fakir D'Oudairies in the Drinmore Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

"Samcro was fine this morning," said Elliott. "I haven't discussed things with Michael and Eddie [O'Leary] but we'll make a plan in the next ten days."

Samcro has three Grade 1 entries over varying distances from two miles to three miles over the festive period.

The seven-year-old could run in the 2m1f Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown or the 2m3½f Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Limerick on December 26. Alternatively, he could step up to three miles for the first time under rules in the 3m Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 29.

Envoi Allen, who retained his unbeaten record in the Royal Bond at the same Fairyhouse meeting, is likely to continue in novice company, although he is entered in open company for the Grade 1 December Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29.

Elliott added: "I haven't yet discussed things with the owners [Cheveley Park Stud] but Envoi Allen is in the two-mile Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown on December 27 and there's also the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle over 2m4f at Naas on January 5 to consider."

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