It Didn’t Feel Like The Normal Apple’s Jade

It was my first time riding Apple’s Jade on Sunday in the Lismullen Hurdle.

Apple’s Jade
She never travelled throughout the race like we’re used to seeing with her and was beaten by Bacardys.

Paddy Kennedy was sitting on my girth on Magical Light and usually Apple’s Jade, in her A game, would have been tanking the bridle and pacing along. She was a bit flat in herself.

It didn’t feel like the normal Apple’s Jade that I’m used to seeing and have been beaten by so many times before.

Paul Townend won well on Barcadys and was very impressive.

Navan Performers
I was impressed by Cialos Emery’s win at Navan also. That was only his second start over fences. He only had one start last year and missed the remainder of the season through injury. He’s still a bit ‘novicey’ with his jumping which will need to improve. It was a very good performance.

Abacadabras won very easily for me at Navan also. He jumped a lot better than he did at Gowran Park and he settled very well throughout the race which was very pleasing as he was very keen when he ran in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He has a lot of pace and it was a great performance.

Wincanton Wonders
It was a tremendous day’s racing at Wincanton on Saturday. I was delighted with my win on Reserve Tank who clearly showed that he learned a lot from his run at Chepstow.

He jumped a lot better on Sunday than he did at Chepstow and he was a lot more relaxed than before. He used to be a bit keen.

Hopefully he will progress as the season continues, like he did last year. He is definitely a horse that performs well on better ground.

There will be interesting times ahead with him and we’ll keep an eye on him for the big festivals.

Give Me A Copper was impressive for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincaton. He was up there throughout the whole race and won well.

They’re now talking about sending him to the Aintree Grand National. He would need to improve a bit before that, but it was a good performance in a very competitive handicap chase to start the season off.

You wouldn’t get too carried away with Fusil Raffles beating Grand Sancy but Nicky Henderson’s horses always improve for a run but the ground would have been soft enough also. I thought it was a strongly run race and a good performance from Fusil Raffles.