raced in 2nd, on terms from 5th, gained narrow lead 6th, joined 8th, led 3 out, pushed along before straight, headed approaching last, dropped to 3rd and one pace run-in
held up, soon raced in 6th, dropped back and detached from 7th, closed next, 6th before straight, ridden to go 2nd run-in and kept on without troubling winner
in rear, pushed along after 8th and progress, 4th before straight, soon no impression
raced in 5th, slight mistake 2nd, closer in 4th at 5th, 2nd before straight, led approaching last, stayed on well
led, joined from 5th, narrowly headed next, back on terms 8th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching straight, pulled up before last
chased leaders, soon 4th, slight mistake 5th and lost position, pushed along at stages after, weakened approaching straight
chased leaders, soon 3rd, effort from before straight and one pace approaching last
held up, soon raced in 7th, 5th before straight, soon no impression
APPLE'S JADE won this easily last year, followed home by a quartet of Willie Mullins' runners, and looked better than ever when beating Nichols Canyon and Supasundae in Grade 1's in December. She started odds-on for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham but was surprisingly beaten into third behind Benie Des Dieux and the outsider Midnight Tour. The slow early pace her rider set on testing ground didn't do her any favours and she was tapped for pace on the run to the line but that mistake won't be made here and she can retain her crown. The winner was having her first start over fences for Mullins having completed a hat-trick over fences after arriving from France, where she had scored over timber. She can improve again but the runner-up appears suited by Cheltenham though she had been well beaten behind the selection in the same race the previous year. Jer's Girl is also held though it wouldn't be a surprise to see her run into a place at a fair price.
Apple's Jade (FR) 1-2fav (11-5) Led to 6th, tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led again briefly before last, soon ridden and not quicken, kept on but always held by front pair flat, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Augusta Kate 8-1 (11-3) Held up, 7th after 6th, no impression approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 11, dist behind Coquin Mans (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Barra (FR) 9-1 (10-10) Held up, 6th after 6th, no impression before 2 out, one pace, 6th of 11, dist behind Coquin Mans (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Benie Des Dieux (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, smooth headway 3 out, chased leaders when switched towards inside and ridden before last, led flat, held on well under pressure towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar beating Midnight Tour (11-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led, joined from 5th, headed narrowly before 7th, no extra from 2 out, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, readily outpaced and well held after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, no chance with leaders, 5th of 9, 11l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Let's Dance (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Soon chased leaders in 4th, 5th after 6th, not match front pair and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 13 1/2l behind Coquin Mans (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Midnight Tour 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
Asthuria (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, mistake 7th and dropped to 4th, ridden in 5th after 3 out, went moderate 3rd at last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Footpad (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Lagostovegas (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 13th of 24, 12 1/2l behind True Self (9-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Pravalaguna (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, improved into 4th approaching straight travelling smoothly, soon headway to challenge between horses, led approaching last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Apr beating Not Many Left (11-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Redhotfillypeppers (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left, joined after 4 out, ridden from 2 out, headed entering straight, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Dawn Shadow (11-7) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
