APPLE'S Jade produced a stunning display to claim her third victory in the Grade 1 baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Gordon Elliott’s brilliant mare had claimed the two-and-a-half-mile contest in each of the last two seasons and having warmed up for her hat-trick bid with an impressive comeback victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan – just as she did last year – she was sent off the 4/6 favourite in the hands of Jack Kennedy.

Patrick Mullins set out to make it a strong test aboard Wicklow Brave, with Apple’s Jade always his nearest pursuer.

The pair opened up a healthy advantage over the rest of the field racing down the back straight, before Apple’s Jade took over rounding the home turn seemingly still full of running.

It was clear at the top of the home straight she had the race in her grasp if she safely negotiated the remaining two obstacles, and she jumped both with aplomb to become the third three-time winner of the Hatton’s Grace along with the hugely popular Limestone Lad and Solerina.

Last season’s Irish Champion Hurdle hero Supasundae was under pressure a long way from home, but boxed on to finish second – some 20 lengths behind the dominant winner.

Limini fared best of the four-strong Willie Mullins contingent in third.

READ THE FULL FAIRYHOUSE REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD