Elliott’s ace Apple’s Jade could clash with Mullins’ Champion winner Annie Power in Punchestown highlight

WILLIE MULLINS will have been hoping for a gentle return to action for his Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power.

But Gordon Elliott could throw a spanner in the works with his brilliant mare Apple’s Jade.

Sportsfile

Annie Power has not run since at Punchestown last May. Mullins had been aiming her at the two-and-a-half-mile mares’ hurdle back at that track on February 22.

Apple’s Jade has been improving in leaps and bounds and Elliott, following up her second to Irving in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle with a win in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month – beating another Mullins mare, Vroum Vroum Mag.

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Elliott said: “The Punchestown mares’ race is one of a couple of races we’re considering for Apple’s Jade.

“She could go to Punchestown and probably go for the mares’ hurdle at Cheltenham after that.”

Annie Power heads the betting for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the festival at around 7-4 with Apple’s Jade next in the betting on 3-1.

Bookies make Annie Power third favourite at around 5-1 to retain her Champion Hurdle crown. Apple’s Jade – second in last season’s Triumph Hurdle – is 25-1 for the Champion.