Ryan McElligott

3.50 IRISH STALLION

FARMS EBF ANNIE

POWER MARES

CHAMPION HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Apple’s Jade: Brilliant mare who has notched up seven Grade 1 wins, two of which have come at this meeting. Looked better than ever with two top-level victories in December before meeting with a surprise defeat at Cheltenham when beaten 1½l into third by Benie Des Dieux. She is better than she showed last time and at her best she would take beating here.

Asthuria: Quality mare who won a decent contest at this meeting last year before then landing a listed event at Killarney. She has held her own in good company on her last two chase starts but a career-best is needed if she is to play a major role on her return to timber and she finihsed third in a Grade 1 over fences here on Thursday.

Augusta Kate: Won at Grade 1 level last season and she showed up well behind Presenting Percy in a Gowran Grade 2 in January. However, she has previously come up short in various races won by Apple’s Jade and she needs to progress on her showing in a well-contested Fairyhouse Grade 2 last time.

Barra: Has just one hurdles success to her name but has run some cracking races in defeat, such as when finishing a close third in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month. She has come up short at graded level on a number of occasions though and a few of these look too good for her.

Benie Des Dieux: Intriguing and hugely talented mare who is unbeaten since joining Willie Mullins and turned in a superb effort on her return to hurdling at Cheltenham last month to land the Mares Hurdle, beating Midnight Tour and Apple’s Jade. After just four runs for her current trainer, she could easily have more to offer and she lines up with every chance of victory.

Forge Meadow: Tough and classy mare who has progressed with almost every run this season, with the highlight being her Grade 3 victory over Identity Thief at Gowran two months ago. Pulled up last time, but that run came on dire ground and she is easily forgiven a rare below run. She isn’t one to dismiss.

Jer’s Girl: Former dual Grade 1 winner who has run well in defeat this season behind the likes of Apple’s Jade and Le Bague Au Roi. However, her last run at Cheltenham leaves her with something to find at this level and she needs to take a step forward from that fifth to Benie Des Dieux.

Lagostovegas: Smart mare who won two good handicap hurdles in the autumn and ran at least as well as ever when finishing a close-up fifth in last month’s County Hurdle. She could never get involved in a 2m handicap here on Tuesday but is certainly better than she showed there and a decent showing wouldn’t surprise.

Let’s Dance: Won the mares’ novice hurdle at Cheltenham last season and her clear-cut victory over Forge Meadow at Leopardstown in December suggested that she was at least as good as ever. However, three defeats since then leave her with something to find with the main contenders.

Midnight Tour: Useful mare who has posted a number of good efforts in defeat over the last two seasons, but she appeared to move her form on to a new level with a ½l second to Benie Des Dieux at Cheltenham last month. A replication of that last effort puts her in with every chance.

Pravalaguna: Decent sort and progressed from an encouraging run in a valuable handicap last week to dominate a conditions hurdle over this course and distance on Wednesday. That last run was her best to date and if performing to the same level she could easily challenge for a place in the frame.

Redhotfillypeppers: Decent sort in bumpers and built on a couple of respectable hurdling efforts to win a 2m6f maiden at this track two months ago. However, her overall form this season would appear to leave her with something to find at this level and there are stronger contenders in the line up. She finished seventh in a listed hurdle here on Thursday.

THE VERDICT

A cracking edition of this race with the first three home from the mares’ hurdle at Cheltenham all lining up. Apple’s Jade didn’t appear to run up to her very best on that occasion but her form during the winter makes for impressive reading and she is taken to reverse form with Benie Des Dieux. Midnight Tour has an excellent chance on her fine showing at Cheltenham, while Forge Meadow and Lagostovegas appeal as others that could run well.