Apple's Jade headlines 30 entries for the £120,000 Grade 1 OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham on the opening day of the festival.

Apple's Jade, who won the OLBG Mares' Hurdle in 2017, could only finish third last year as Benie Des Dieux gained the spoils and gave her trainer Willie Mullins a remarkable ninth victory in the race, which was first run in 2008. Apple's Jade, is among the 14 Irish-trained entries.

Her trainer Gordon Elliott said: "Apple's Jade is in good form.

"She runs next in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival [Leopardstown, February 1st].

"She will do a bit of work next week and, all being well, that is her next target.

"She is a very good mare who does her best work on the track.

"Apple's Jade is more than likely to go for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race she has won before.

"She has an entry in the Champion Hurdle, but I think it will be very doubtful that she will go there."

MULLINS TEAM

Mullins' six-strong team also includes rising star Laurina, though she is currently being aimed at the Unibet Champion Hurdle. The 2017 OLBG Mares' Hurdle third Limini and Leopardstown Grade 3 scorer Good Thyne Tara are also engaged.

The home challenge for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle features prolific hurdler and chaser Lady Buttons (Phil Kirby), Roksana (Dan Skelton), who was second in G1 company at Aintree's Randox Health Grand National Festival last spring, as well as promising novices Queenohearts (Stuart Edmunds) and Mega Yeats (Ruth Jefferson).

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer

6 entries

Willie Mullins IRE - Benie Des Dieux, Elimay, Good Thyne Tara, Laurina, Limini, Stormy Ireland

4 entries

Gordon Elliott IRE - Apple's Jade, Lackaneen Leader, Missy Tata, Tintangle

3 entries

Alan King - Alsa Mix, Mia's Storm, Midnightreferendum

2 entries

Jessica Harrington IRE - Alletrix, Forge Meadow

Jamie Snowden - Floral Bouquet, Kalahari Queen

1 entry

Brian Eckley - Liberty Bella

Stuart Edmunds - Queenofhearts

Alan Fleming IRE - Champayne Lady

Harry Fry - Momella

Nicky Henderson - Apple's Shakira

Iain Jardine - Indian Opera

Ruth Jefferson - Mega Yeats

Philip Kirby - Lady Buttons

Paul Nicholls - If You Say Run

Fergal O'Brien - Cap Soleil

Joseph O'Brien IRE - Slowmotion

Dan Skelton - Roksana

Noel Williams - Sensulano