Apple's Jade aims to bounce back in mares' contest Apple's Jade is likely to bid to atone for a disappointing Cheltenham Festival effort in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on April 28. While the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old does have other options during the week, she is likely to stick to running against her own sex. Seen as one of the Irish bankers at Cheltenham, she was sent off the 1-2 favourite to follow up her win in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle of last year but could only finish third to Benie Des Dieux. "Apple's Jade just didn't run her race at Cheltenham and I don't know why," said Eddie O'Leary, racing manager to owners Gigginstown House Stud. "We've left her in several races at Punchestown but I think she'll go for the mares' contest and I hope she bounces back from her last run. "It would be nice to finish the season on a high with her." Benie Des Dieux, Mares' Hurdle runner-up Midnight Tour, Laurina and Forge Meadow are also among 20 possible runners. One who provided Gigginstown and Elliott with a welcome surprise at Cheltenham was Farclas, who won the Triumph Hurdle. He will aim to follow up in the AES Champion 4YO Hurdle on the same afternoon. "Although he was a maiden going into Cheltenham, we were hopeful he'd run well and delighted he won the race," said O'Leary. "He's been fine since and the plan has always been to come to Punchestown for the AES Champion 4YO Hurdle." Disappointing Triumph favourite Apple's Shakira, last-flight faller Stormy Ireland and runner-up Mr Adjudicator are possible rivals. Delta Work was another Cheltenham winner for Gigginstown in the Pertemps Final and he is due to step up in grade for the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle on April 26. "We're seriously considering the three-miler for Delta Work," said O'Leary. "Hopefully he's improving and he ran a great race at Cheltenham when getting up in the photo there." Penhill won the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and could also take his chance, while La Bague Au Roi, who finished seventh in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, is also set to run. "She's had a wind op since Cheltenham and I think that she now wants three miles," said trainer Warren Greatrex.
