Will Apples Jade justify her favouritism, or will an outsider take the title? Andy Holding gives his thoughts.
Apple’s Jade is most punters’ idea of the banker on day one of the Festival and, with her preparation gone smoothly and likely testing conditions in her favour, there’s every chance she will follow up last year’s success. If there is to be a joker in the pack, however, LA BAGUE AU ROI (best price 8-1) could prove the one Gordon Elliot’s star mare has most to think about and she’s worth more than a second look in the with and without the favourite markets. Always held in the highest regard by connections, Warren Greatrex’s mare has really come of age this season and her three straight wins have all been sprinkled with a little bit of magic in their own way. First of all, she did really well to overcome the minimum 2m trip at Wetherby on her seasonal return before going on to defeat the very useful mare, Jers Girl, despite making a complete Horlicks of the last hurdle at Kempton next time out over 3m. However, there’s no doubt her latest effort at Ascot, when she routed a decent field with total contempt, was by far and away her most impressive of the trio of victories and it’s that performance which sets her apart from the rest of the crowd. The way the daughter of Doctor Dino travelled all over subsequent winner Midnight Tune (beaten 102 lengths) before going on to record a resounding success at the Berkshire venue, suggests she’s a mare right on top of her game at present. Furthermore, her time figures stack up well and with connections deciding to come here rather than tackle a whole host of in-from and strong stayers in the three-mile Grade 1 on the Thursday, Richard Johnson can go out there and ride her with plenty of aggression knowing that she will stay the trip better than most on the rain-softened ground.
