GORDON ELLIOTT’S APPLE’S Jade just edged 4/7 favourite Vroum Vroum Mag in a photo finish to claim the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
Jockey Bryan Cooper, who looked to be involved in a dangerous-looking fall earlier in the day, recovered to ensure the 4/1 shot imposed a first loss in 11 races for the Ruby Walsh-ridden Vroum Vroum Mag, with Shaneshill in third.
“I didn’t think I’d be riding again after the fall, thank god the impact was on my left leg, the better of the two,” Cooper said.”She’s so tough, I made the call last week [to ride Petit Mouchoir] and I maintain that was right, but she is progressing with each race.
“I didn’t know she’s be coming here last week but it was a fair call, she was bouncing and if she came back to her form of last year she had to have a chance.
“Gordon told me I knew her, I knew she stayed and last year at Aintree I felt she was a stayer. She’s only four, maybe in two years she’ll be a World Hurdle horse, this year the Mares’ Hurdle over two-five might be her race, but I’ll leave that to others to decide.”
Speaking after the race, Elliott appeared to rule his horse out of the Champion Hurdle.
“It’s definitely out. She wouldn’t be mapped in it – I don’t think so anyway,” the trainer said.
Airlie Beach (4/1) maintained her unbeaten record to secure the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, with the six-year-old storming to an easy win. Saturnas came in second with Le Martalin third.
There was also joy for trainer Eddie Harty as Coney Island won the Drinmore Novice Chase. Anibale Fly was second to make it a 1-2 for JP McManus, Alpha Des Obeaux finished third.
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