made all, jumped right, pushed along and 2 lengths lead last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, no impression approaching last where slight mistake, no extra
held up in rear, 3rd halfway, headway approaching straight and 2nd before 2 out, pushed along approaching last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in
APPLE'S JADE, already a five-times Grade 1 winner, needed her opening run last season but it's difficult to see her beaten in this after her demolition of Airlie Beach at Punchestown in April. This is her trip and the ground won't be a concern though she's not likely to have things her own way against Jer's Girl. Gavin Cromwell's mare was in touch and still going well when falling three out in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham won by the selection and won easily on the Flat at Roscommon in September so has a fitness advantage. Monksland was a long way behind the selection at Fairyhouse in December but bounced back to form with a couple of very good runs later and made a winning reappearance at Thurles despite looking in need of the run. Flaxen Flare is a decent handicapper but Duca De Thaix was engaged at Naas yesterday.
Apple's Jade (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Led briefly early, raced in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, closed up before 3 out, soon on terms, led 2 out, went on approaching straight, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Airlie Beach (11-7) by 14l, 7 ran.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent and disputed early, chased leader in 2nd from after 2nd, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out where mistake, pressed from last, strongly pressed run-in and rider lost whip, headed at line, 2nd of 9, shd behind Plinth (11-6) at Killarney 2m 4f sft in May.
Monksland (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 3rd before 3 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, challenged before last, narrow lead and slight mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct beating Polar Present (10-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no impression after 2 out and not fluent last, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Jezki (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Duca De Thaix (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Dame De Compagnie (10-1) by nk, 16 ran.
