Atlantic Fairy made all the running to win the inaugural running of the Listed Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle at Navan today, scoring for trainer Henry De Bromhead and Championship-chasing jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Blackmore moved to within four winners of Championship leader Paul Townend (82-78) having steered the daughter of Jeremy to an all-the-way win over staying-on runner-up Global Equity

De Bromhead later commented “I'm delighted with that and she's a lovely mare.

“She got hurt last year and we had to leave her off but she's come back really well and is doing it all well. I think she'll improve for the run as she hasn't run since Christmas. She should come on a bit from it.

“She has her ideas of what she wants to do (tactics-wise) and she's a lady you really don't need to tell what to do.

“She's in at Cheltenham but we'll see as there is also the mares novice hurdle at Fairyhouse which is only a couple of weeks after. That might be the more sensible route for her.

“I'm delighted to win the first running of the Apple's Jade Hurdle and delighted for owner Mark Phelan; I'll see what Mark thinks as it's a hobby and it depends what he would like to do.”

Eleven-time Grade 1 winner Apple’s Jade was bought for a record price for a National Hunt mare sold at public auction at Goffs last December for €530,000 by Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud as a broodmare prospect.

Quotes from Gary Carson