Apple’s Jade coped well with the step up to three miles to land the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle under Davy Russell at Leopardstown.

However the Grade One event was marred by a fatal injury to Nichols Canyon winner of eight Grade One’s including the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last March, who fell at the hurdle in the straight with a circuit to run.

Russell was deputising for Jack Kennedy, who was sidelined this afternoon after a number of heavy falls over the past few days.

Apple’s Jade didn’t adopt her normal front-running role as Supasundae took them along for much of the journey, and the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding appeared to have the 4/6 favourite in trouble early in the straight.

However the Gigginstown-owned mare is as tough as they come, and she responded to Russell’s urgings to get up close home for a half-length verdict. Bapaume was a further four and three quarter lengths away in third.

What a star she is! Apple's Jade digs deep to land the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/nJMPXbjGGg

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 28, 2017

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said, “Davy said if he rode her again he would have got her into a battle earlier. She just loves a battle and won by half a length at the end. The Mares race at Cheltenham is the plan.

“She’s just five years old and has now won seven Grade 1’s. She has to be out in front every day on the gallops.”

Russell said, “Obviously I've only ridden her at home and credit must go to the likes of Jack and Lisa O'Neill. Unfortunately Jack couldn't ride today but he's one for the future.

“She was very good, tough and jumped slick. She enjoyed the ground and when she got into a battle she really enjoys that type of race. The extra distance didn't do her any harm. I wasn't a bit surprised that Robbie Power's horse was going to give me a battle and I'm just happy I came out the right side of it.

“It was the first time over three and she can be a bit eager to get on with things. I was happy to sit upsides but then she was maybe doing a little bit too much upsides so I was happy Puppy went on in front. It gave her something to aim at and I knew that when we got knuckled down into it, it would be to her benefit.

“Credit to Gordon and the team. She can win a high class race over two and come back here and win a high class race over three, and everywhere in between also. It's a pleasure to be riding those horses and I'm just happy to get the opportunity.”

Russell has long been an advocate for fillies in National Hunt racing and added, “A good woman will make a good man. The ITBA and everyone are doing a marvellous job to promote fillies and they are maybe not the ugly thing they used to be a few years ago.

“She flies the flag for them along with a lot of other high class fillies. They can do it on the Flat and they have respect for them on the Flat. They should have more respect for them over jumps as well because they are an important part of this game — a big cog in the wheel.” Apple's Jade traded at 26 in running with Betfair, and the same firm make her evens favourite (from 5/4) for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Boylesports also go 1/1, while Paddy Power offer 10/11.

(GC & AM)