in rear, progress on outer after 3 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in
ran 3rd, travelling well and short of room approaching 2 out, switched left and slight mistake last, ridden and kept on run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out and progress to challenge last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well
led, pushed along before 2 out and strongly pressed last, ridden and headed run-in, kept on one pace
APPLE'S JADE could be one of the stars of this campaign following last season's exploits. Her only defeat came in the Triumph Hurdle when caught close home by Ivan Gorbatov but she later easily reversed that form in Grade 1's at Aintree and Punchestown. She receives weight from all three rivals but Petit Mouchoir is also likely to be mixing it with the big guns. Henry De Bromhead's grey was just touched off in a Grade 1 at Aintree and again in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. Rashaan has been running well in tough handicaps on the Flat and is perfectly capable of landing a good race over hurdles in the coming weeks but My Manekineko has plenty to do.
My Manekineko 20-1 (10-9) Behind, headway 2 out, stayed on after last, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Sternrubin (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead before 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden and headed, dropped to 3rd entering straight, went 2nd again at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Don't Touch It (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Rashaan (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 9th of 23, 7 3/4l behind Golden Spear (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Apple's Jade (FR) 8-13fav (10-7) Made all, pushed out briefly to go clear before last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Let's Dance (10-7) by 9l, 5 ran.
