Elliott ponders Punchestown options for Apple’s Jade

Elliott ponders Punchestown options for Apple's Jade

Gordon Elliott says Apple’s Jade has three options ahead of the Punchestown Festival.

Elliott’s charge won her first four races of the season in convincing fashion, with her narrowest margin of victory 11 lengths, but then disappointed on the big stage at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old finished 30 lengths behind winner Espoir D’Allen in the Champion Hurdle, having been the pre-race favourite, but then showed a return to form at Aintree.

Trainer Elliott is now considering his options ahead of a tilt at the Punchestown Festival in what will be Apple’s Jade’s final race of the campaign.

‘I wouldn’t say Apple’s Jade was at her best at Aintree, but she still ran very well to finish a close third in a Grade One,’ said Elliott, as reported by Sky Sports.

‘She’s come out of the race in good shape and the plan is to head to Punchestown.

She’s got three Grade One entries over a range of trips and we’ll just see how she is closer to the time before making a decision what race to head for.

‘She didn’t match the level of form she showed earlier in the season, but it was still a major improvement on Cheltenham and hopefully we will have her at her best for her final race of the season.’

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