Rashaan surprises Jade in WKD Hurdle

Rashaan sprang a surprise in the feature at Down Royal this afternoon, the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle. Apple's Jade who won two Grade 1's last season, was all the rage for this two mile contest, and she went off the 1/2 favourite with Ruby Walsh in the saddle.

Making her debut for Gordon Elliott, the market leader attempted to make all, with Rashaan racing in second under Sean Flanagan.

The Colin Kidd trained victor took closer order from three out and was pushed along to challenge approaching the next.

He gained a narrow lead at the last, and battled gamely on the run-in to see off Apple's Jade by a length and a half. Petit Mouchoir who was making his debut for Henry De Bromhead, finished a length and three parts back in third under David Mullins

Rashaan came in for plenty of support on-course, and having opened at 16/1, he went off at 10's.

Colin Kidd said afterwards: "Last year the heavy ground along the winter just didn't suit him. We have been blessed with the weather the last couple of months. I am just going to keep him going while the ground is this way. Once the word 'heavy' appears in the ground he'll get a rest and come back for some of the big races in the spring.

"He is thriving on racing - the November Handicap, sixth in the Cesarewitch. second to Hidden Cyclone I think that's four runs in the last month. He is loving it and the good ground is the key to him.

"We went into the juvenile hurdle on St Stephen's Day last year as favourite and Apple's Jade and Jer's Girl were first and second. He doesn't jump as well on heavy ground.

"Today was the plan. If the weather stays this way he could go to Naas next Saturday for the four-year-old Grade Three. If the ground comes up no worse than yielding he could possibly run there.

"We never had any regrets (about not selling him when the offers came in). I never felt any pressure because I was never put under any pressure. The owners - my mother and Mrs Treacy - are into a good horse to enjoy him and are having the time of their lives going round the country. Unfortunately none of them are here today."

Sean Flanagan added: "Colin holds this lad in very high regard, and in fairness as a juvenile he was running into the likes of Footpad and all of those. Then he was running on heavy ground and he wants a bit of nicer ground.

"He ran a cracker in Leopardstown only last week but got into a lot of traffic problems. Colin said jump out, I know the favourite is going to be hard to beat but give her a run for her money, and it paid off.

"I thought it was a proper race. We jumped off and went a good gallop all the way. He would probably stay a bit further but on that kind of ground you can make plenty of use of him, and he just gallops away all day.

"At the top of the hill I sent him about his business and he galloped the whole way to the line.

"I think he is very ground dependent. He wants nice ground and he showed what he can do on it."

Ladbrokes have Apple's Jade at 12/1 from 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle, while Paddy Power are 16's from 8's.

BoyleSports eased Apple's Jade to 16/1 from 8/1 and have Annie Power now the 2/1 joint favourite with Faugheen.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham