Elliott has Jade ripe for WKD return Last season's top juvenile Apple's Jade is the star turn on the opening day of Down Royal's big meeting when she begins her new campaign in the WKD Hurdle on Friday. The filly ended last term with a pair of superb Grade One victories at Aintree and Punchestown after suffering her only defeat at the hands of Ivanovich Gorbatov in the Triumph Hurdle. She dispensed with that rival by 41 lengths when they clashed again at Aintree. Apple's Jade was trained by Willie Mullins and was one of the high-profile horses moved by owners Gigginstown House Stud in September. She is now with Gordon Elliott. "Hopefully she'll start off with a nice, clear round," said Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary. Petit Mouchoir, who is now trained by Henry de Bromhead after also being with Mullins, gives Gigginstown a second string to their bow in a four-runner field. O'Leary said: "He's a nice horse and we'll see how he goes." The five-year-old was second in Grade One races at Aintree and Punchestown and De Bromhead is looking forward to getting him on the track. "He's a lovely horse and had very good novice form last year," said the County Waterford trainer. "We'll start him off here and see how he goes. "He's settled in really well and he seems a nice horse to do anything with." Colin Kidd's Rashaan and the James Nash-trained My Manekineko make up the quartet.
