led, mistake 5th, joined before 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well before 3 out, led after 3 out, went well clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, very easily, impressive
held up in touch in rear, last at 7th, stumbled on bend before next, slight mistake 8th, in touch in last 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 2nd, slight mistake and ridden 10th, disputed lead before 3 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders
held up in touch in rear, closer in 4th 4 out, headway into 2nd and ridden entering straight, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on one pace, not trouble winner
tracked leaders, pushed along at 5th, 5th and slight mistake 7th, soon no impression
Apple's Jade came right back to her best when making all for a very easy victory in a Grade 1 over this trip at Leopardstown where she had Penhill and Killultagh Vic well beaten. However, she was twice beaten by BENIE DES DIEUX in championship races at Cheltenham and Punchestown in 2018 and Willie Mullins' mare would have been unbeaten for the stable but for falling at the last in the mares' Grade 1 at Chelenham in March. She can come out on top here as Death Duty is likely to need this after an absence of over two years and will likely return to chasing in the near future. Gardens of Babylon is a smart young hurdler but she's never been anywhere near this trip and is playing in the big league here.
Apple's Jade (FR) 6-4jfav (11-3) Disputed lead early, soon led, inclined to jump right, went on approaching straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) by 17l, 7 ran.
Benie Des Dieux (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 3m 1f hvy in May beating De Bon Coeur (10-5) by 6 1/2l, 12 ran.
Death Duty (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Soon raced in 4th, left 3rd from 5th, pushed along to chase winner approaching straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, fell last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, some slight mistakes, pushed along approaching 2 out, no extra and one pace straight, 5th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Penhill 5-1 (11-10) A little keen, waited with towards rear, headway approaching 5 out where slight mistake, chased winner straight, soon no impression and one pace, 3rd of 7, 20 3/4l behind Apple's Jade (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Mary Frances (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased clear leader in 2nd, jumped right 3rd and bumped rival, soon lost place and jumped right 5th, 6th halfway, dropped towards rear and not fluent 3 out, no extra, kept on one pace in straight, 7th of 8, dist behind Stormy Ireland (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Gardens of Babylon (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, improved to 2nd at 6th, travelled well to lead before 2 out where strongly pressed, ridden and headed before last, led run-in, kept on, headed closing stages, not match winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Soviet Pimpernel (10-13) at Limerick 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
