WINNER two years ago, the brilliant mare Apple’s Jade headlines 30 entries for the £120,000 Grade 1 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on the opening day of the 2018 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, one of the 14 Irish-trained entries, is unbeaten this season and on her two most recent outings has recorded wide-margin successes in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse and Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, staged over two and a half miles and three miles respectively.

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

Mullins’ six-strong team also includes rising star Laurina, though she is currently being aimed at the Champion Hurdle. Limini and Leopardstown scorer Good Thyne Tara are also engaged. Mullins also Stormy Ireland and Elimay entered.

The home challenge features prolific hurdler and chaser Lady Buttons (Phil Kirby), Roksana (Dan Skelton), who was second in Grade 1 company at Aintree last spring, as well as promising novices Queenohearts (Stuart Edmunds) and Mega Yeats (Ruth Jefferson).

MARES’ HURDLE ODDS: 11/8 Apple’s Jade, 3/1 Benie Des Dieux, 4/1 Laurina, 14/1 Limini, 14/1 Stormy Ireland, 20/1 Roksana, 25/1 Elimay, Good Thyne Tara, Lady Buttons