Can Apple’s Jade Overcome Cheltenham Disappointment In Stayers Hurdle?

“You need to take a leap of faith with Apple’s Jade that she can put her Cheltenham run behind her.” Niall Cronin joins us to give us his Aintree 2019 Ryanair Stayers Hurdle tips.

But anywhere near her best and Apple’s Jade will run her rivals ragged in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle.

Apple’s Jade posted an incredible 41-length victory in a Grade 1 here at Aintree when she was a juvenile and you’d have to feel that she wouldn’t be here unless Elliott was 100 per cent happy with her.

Apple’s Jade did of course lose her form in the second half of last season and if this is the case again she will be vulnerable but with Sam Spinner being her nearest rival in the betting, this really does look a Grade 1 made for Apple’s Jade.

There is questions over whether or not Cheltenham suits Apple’s Jade and maybe that theory was proven last month.

When you see what Supasundae did at Aintree on Thursday it only acts to boost Apple’s Jade’s form and she may not have to be at her best to win this.

Sam Spinner bounced back to form after a terrible season to finish second to Paisley Park in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham so he can’t be ignored on that form but he would seem flattered by his official rating of 164.

Maybe if a horse like The Worlds End was ridden to run well he could run well at a big price. The eight-year-old was sent novice chasing this season but was no match for Topofthegame in the RSA Chase and pulled up before the second last as he just doesn’t look to be the same horse over fences.

Unowhatimeanharry skipped the Stayers Hurdle and outside of Sam Spinner the other runners here that ran against Paisely Park include Wholestone (5th), West Approach (9th) Kilbricken Storm (11th), Nautical Nitwit (18th) and Agrapart who pulled up so it’s hard to make a case for any of them giving the Paisley Park form a boost.

The risk you take is simply down to Apple’s Jade’s wellbeing.

Anyone who doesn’t back her at 11/8 or similar prices will be kicking themselves if she was to go and bolt up without coming off the bridle which is more than possible.

Every horse should be forgiven for one bad run, whereas it is probably slightly harder to suggest Sam Spinner is back at his best after one decent run where he was a 33/1 shot.

Elliott worked Apple’s Jade and Samcro last week and was obviously happy to let the mare take her chance while keeping Samcro at home and that vote of confidence from the trainer to let her take her chance is good enough for this corner.

*Prices correct at time of publication