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Gordon Elliott expects Mares Hurdle winner Apples Jade to make a 'winning return' as the five-time Grade One hero goes off a odds-on shot in the Lismullen Hurdle (1:40) at Navan.
The five-year-old who has never finished outside the top two, established herself as one of the best mares in training in her 41 length romp of the Aintree's Juvenile Hurdle last season.
She stepped up to land two more Irish Grade One prizes, before battling off Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini for Festival glory, which was soon followed up by a comfortable success at Punchestown.
On her return to Grade Two company, confidence is high she can continue to dominate against the girls.
"Apples Jade makes her hotly anticipated return for the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle," Elliott told his Betfair blog.
"She came back from her break looking a million dollars and regular work rider Lisa O'Neill reports her to be in tremendous form."
"This looks an ideal event for her to make a winning return and I think the booking of Jack Kennedy will suit.
"Her main danger would be Jer's Girl who benefits from being race fit but she's yet to trouble her so I hope we can keep it that way!"
She is currently priced at a 3-1 favourite to reclaim her prize at Cheltenham next March.
This afternoon her biggest rival comes in the form of Jer's Girl, who won two Grade One prizes as a novice for Gavin Cromwell.
Monksland made a winning return at Thurles last time for Noel Meade. Elliott's former Fred Winter winner Flaxen Flare also lines up along with Duca De Thaix.
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