RIGHT from the start at last Sunday, Apple’s Jade looked keen and alert in the parade ring in Navan and she matched through the Lismullen Hurdle itself, jumping big, bold and enthusiastically. She looked the winner, even before Identity Thief suffered a fatal injury.

Samcro is obviously the Gigginstown nominated one for the Champion Hurdle but on this running, taking into account all her best from, and that some of Gordon’s are needing a run, it’s not hard to think that Apple’s Jade would putting up a bold bid in the Champion, with the help of the mares’ allowance. She certainly jumps much slicker than Samcro, and that’s a huge asset.