Bacardys inflicted a shock defeat on star mare Apple’s Jade in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

Having claimed this Grade 2 prize in each of the past two seasons en route to victory in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, Apple’s Jade was a prohibitively priced 1/4 favourite to complete the hat-trick – despite failing to run up to her best during the spring.

Ridden by Robbie Power for the first time, the 10-time Grade 1 winner went straight to the lead, but repeatedly jumped out to her right and could never shake off Magic Of Light – who was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind Tiger Roll in the Grand National at Aintree.

That pair rounded the home turn together, while in their slipstream was the Willie Mullins-trained Bacardys under a confident-looking Paul Townend.

It was clear halfway up the straight that Apple’s Jade was struggling to hold on to her crown, and 100/30 chance Bacardys ultimately eased clear for a nine-and-a-half-length success.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “He deserved that – it’s his first win since I won on him at Punchestown a couple of years ago.

“He looked fantastic in the parade ring beforehand. Myself and Willie had a bit of an argument about three weeks ago, because he wanted to school him over fences and I was saying he should stay over hurdles. We won one argument with him, which is unusual!

“He ran very well in the spring in those staying hurdles, but was always coming off a bad chasing preparation. Hopefully now, with a full season over hurdles, he can be competitive in the Stayers Hurdle’ at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

“He’ll probably go for the Hatton’s Grace now and then the three-mile hurdle in Leopardstown at Christmas.”

GIGGINSTOWN WINNER

Connections of Apple's Jade had earlier been in the winner's enclosure with high-class novice hurdler Abacadabras, who maintained his unbeaten record over jumps with an impressive display in the For Auction Novice Hurdle.

Fourth behind esteemed stable companion Envoi Allen in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old went on to finish second in the equivalent contest at Punchestown before being given his summer break.

Having made a successful reappearance on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park last month, Abacadabras was the 9/10 favourite for a Grade 3 contest his trainer has won with Labaik (2016) and Mengli Khan (2017) in recent years – and his supporters can have had few concerns at any point in the race.

Ridden with restraint by Robbie Power, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner cruised into contention early in the home straight.

Paul Nolan’s Latest Exhibition emerged as the main threat, but Elliott’s charge had too many guns after the final flight and pulled three lengths clear without being fully extended.

“That’s our 100th jumps winner of the season between England and Ireland, so it’s nice to get it in a graded race,” said Elliott.

“He’s a nice horse. We thought a lot of him in bumpers last year, and he ran a bit keen at both Cheltenham and Punchestown. He jumped well there today, and Puppy (Power) liked him.”

Abacadabras appears likely to renew rivalry with Envoi Allen in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 1st.

“He’s probably another horse that will go to the Royal Bond in Fairyhouse now,” Elliott added. “Puppy said he was very quick getting away from his hurdles – and he was very happy. We’ll keep him to two miles at the moment.”

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