4.25 AES CHAMPION 4YO HURDLE (GRADE 1) 2M

Cap D’Aubois: Didn’t make much impact in two flat starts in France but got his jumping career off to a bright start at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in December and has since been picked up by all conquering connections. Fascinating that he is being pitched in at this level and it will be intriguing to see how he fares.

Ivanovich Gorbatov: Looked potentially top notch when landing a Leopardstown maiden on his jumping debut at Christmas and duly reaffirmed that impression when defeating Apple’s Jade by just over 1l in the Triumph. Finished a remote second to that rival at Liverpool but is better judged on his Cheltenham display which makes him formidable contender.

Apple’s Jade: Outstanding juvenile filly who won a Leopardstown Grade 2 on her Irish debut before finishing an excellent second in the Triumph. Showed dramatic progress from Cheltenham to post a wondrous 41 victory over Ivanovich Gorbatov at Liverpool. That last effort was one of the outstanding juvenile displays of recent decades and makes her a compelling choice.

Jer’s Girl: Admirable filly who has enjoyed a terrific first season over timber. Her narrow defeat to Apple’s Jade at Leopardstown at Christmas is a standout effort while she did especially well when pitched in against her elders to run out a 13l winner of a 2m 4f Fairyhouse Grade 1. Highly unlikely to run having won the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle yesterday.

Let’s Dance: Has yet to win in three starts for Willie Mullins but has run very well on each occasion as evidenced by a second to Ivanovich Gorbatov on her Irish debut, a third to Footpad in a Leopardstown Grade 1 and a fourth in the Triumph. All those point to her capacity to land a good prize but a few of these look to hold her.

Tocororo: Reliable sort who has finished in the frame on all six of her outings over hurdles and was only narrowly denied by Newberry New in a Grade 3 on her penultimate sort.

However, her best form still leaves her a long way short of the required standard.

VERDICT

Apple’s Jade comes here off a stunning effort at Aintree where she annihilated a quality field to win a Grade 1 by a staggering 41 lengths. If she turns up in that sort of form she will surely take all the beating. Ivanovich Gorbatov established himself as a top notch juvenile with his Triumph victory and is much better than he showed a Liverpool. He can provide his old rival with a stern test.