< Apple's Jade registered her fifth victory at the highest level with a commanding performance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

Bryan Cooper was happy to track the pacesetting Airlie Beach on the Gordon Elliott-trained even-money favourite until making his move after jumping three out.

Apple's Jade displayed a burst of speed the others simply couldn't match and she powered clear in the straight to pass the post with 14 lengths in hand of Airlie Beach.

Any hopes Elliott had of reeling in Willie Mullins in the title race were effectively dashed in the very next event when Bapaume led home a one-three for the reigning champion in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

The 2-1 market leader took it up between the last couple of flights and held the late challenge of Landofhopeandglory by a length and a quarter, with his stablemate Meri Devie close up in third.

Mullins followed up when his son Patrick drove Open Eagle to a gritty success in the valuable Ballymore Handicap Hurdle.

The 20-1 chance cruised to the front but was ultimately all out and only fended off the late thrust of Dream Berry by half a length.< Sizing Codelco gave Robbie Power his sixth triumph of the 2017 Festival, and Colin Tizzard his third, when defying top weight in the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.

The 4-1 shot was never too far from the pace and was resolute in beating Forever Gold by three and a half lengths to back up his recent Aintree victory.< Whatareudoingtome (16-1) led home a one-two for JP McManus in the stamina-sapping Three.ie Handicap Chase, finding more after the last to dispose of White Arm by five lengths.< Need To Know (8-1) saw off the McManus challenge in the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase, and Vocarium took the Attheraces.com (Pro/Am) Flat Race.