Apple wins again for Elliott - Leopardstown day three
Trainer Gordon Elliott got off the mark at Leopardstown on day three of the Festival when the brilliant Apple's Jade obliged in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle with Jack Kennedy on board.
Apple's Jade retained her crown with 26 lengths to spare and received a great reception from the 15,559 patrons who thronged to the Foxrock track.
“She’ll be entered in everything, she might come back here over two miles for the Irish Champion Hurdle," stated Elliott.
"In Cheltenham she will probably go for the race I think she can win and that might be the Mares Hurdle," he added as he completed a double on the day with Gun Digger winning the beginners chase.
APPLE'S JADE JUMPING THE LAST - Photo: INPHO
OTHER WINNERS
Kemboy delivered a scintillating success in the feature Savills Chase on day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. The 8-1 shot provided Willie Mullins with his second win in the race, three years after Don Poli provided him with his first.
It was yet another Grade 1 for Supreme Racing whose colours were carried to victory by Aramon in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Thursday.
David Mullins took the bull by the horns passing the stands with a circuit to race deciding to send Kemboy to the head of affairs.
It was a masterstroke as the six-year-old led them a merry dance on the way to a seven-and-a-half length win over Monalee.
Barry Geraghty won the opener on Malinas Jack which capitalised when the Noel Meade-trained Diol Ker made a mitakle at the last in the maiden hurdle.
Sean Flanagan did well to saty on board Diol Ker which stumbled badly after jumping the last throwing his chance away.
Geraghty urged Malinas Jack into the lead and ran on well in the final 150 yards to take the honours from Foxy Jacks.
SEE SERIES OF PHOTOS FROM INPHO OF LAST HURDLE Photos: INPHO
MATTHEW SMITH WINNER Photo: INPHO
The Matthew Smith-trained (in Kilmessan) The Church Gate recorded a third win when landing a handicap hurdle with Robbie Power on board for the Poor Mans Syndicate
The Dermot Weld-trained Lake Takapuna was sent off the 11/4 fovourite, but when Power sent The Church Gate to the front it was a good move and the winning margin was over five lengths.
OFF THE TRACK
The stylish were there also for the Savills Style Awards with prizes on offer worth over €7,000.
The awards, sponsored by the principle sponsors Savills, was one of the highlights of the day, with teacher Paula Gannon from Athlone winning the Ladies Category in a Vivenne O'Connor purple tweed skirt and peplum, while the Men's Category winner was PJ McCague from Clones (Monaghan) wearing a three piece bespoke suit from Tom Murphy.
“Fantastic day – we are delighted to be associated with Leopardstown Racecourse, it has been a terrific experience so far with lots of brilliant feedback from clients," stated Savills Ireland Managing Director Angus Potterton.
"The Savills Style Awards have been a great success, the contestants were of such a high standard and it was important to us to look for that Irish connection.
"It has just been wonderful. Then to top it all, a wonderful racing club wins the Savills Chase so it has been a great success for us in our inaugural year,” he added.
SAVILLS STYLE AWARDS WINNERS Photo: INPHO
BEST DRESSED LADY:
Paula Gannon, Athlone
€2,000 voucher for Dundrum Town Centre. Irish Design Centre - Private Consultation with award winning Irish milliner Aoife Harrison, who will then create a bespoke headpiece for the winner to the value of €1,000. The Shelbourne Hotel, one night B&B stay in a Heritage Park Suite for two people with dinner in the Saddle Room restaurant and bottle of house wine. €500 voucher for Peter Mark – hairdresser of the year.
BEST DRESSED MAN:
PJ McCague, Clones.
€1000 voucher for Dundrum Town Centre.The Shelbourne Hotel, one nights B&B stay in a Heritage Park Suite for two people with dinner in the Saddle Room restaurant and bottle of house wine.
