Jade and Cooper are Hatton's Grace heros

It'll be no surprise to anyone to note that Vroum Vroum Mag (4/7) went as short as 1/20 in running but she lost her unbeaten record for Willie Mullins when Apple's Jade refused to give in in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Bryan Cooper again demonstrated his toughness to be aboard the mare, after his fall from Peace News in the preceding Royal Bond.

The Kerry man isn't one to lie down easily, like so many of his weighing room colleagues, and in Apple's Jade he had a partner of a similar mindset.

Former Willie Mullins inmate Apple's Jade was bouncing out quickly after her Fighting Fifth runner-up placing eight days previous.

Without the noseband that she wore at Newcastle, and at Down Royal on November 4th, the Saddler Maker four-year-old was never far away and she took over from Whiteout entering the straight.

Strongly pressed and joined at the last by Vroum Vroum Mag, Apple's Jade kept on well under pressure on the run-in to lead again close home for a short head success.

Vroum Vroum Mag's stable companion at Willie Mullins' Closutton yard, Shaneshill was short of room approaching the second last. He was ridden in third when making a bad mistake at the last and ended up seven lengths off the front pair.

"I met three or four people coming in racing today and they were maybe slating me for running her.  I'm in a lucky position to be training for the lads (Gigginstown House Stud) and they left it up to me," revealed Elliott.

"I weighed her this morning and she was actually heavier than she was going to Newcastle last week so I said we'll let her take her chance and I'm delighted it worked out.  I was under no pressure but it's great when it works out.

"I had a good chat with (journalist) Ryan McElligott last night and he said 'if it worked it worked and if it didn't it didn't.'  We took the chance and it's great.

"We were learning a bit about her to be honest.  To run in the Fighting Fifth last week and coming back here this week is a testament to how good a mare she is.

"The mares hurdle in Cheltenham will be her Gold Cup. There are a couple of races at the start of February for her.

"She won't go to Christmas.  She'll have one run before Cheltenham all being well.  Saying that she might run next week!"

Regarding the Champion Hurdle the Cullentra House handler stated: "It's definitely out.  She wouldn't be mapped in it - I don't think so anyway."

For the OLBG Mares' Hurdle Apple's Jade is the 2/1 favourite from 7/2 with Paddy Power, whilst for the Irish Trainer's Championship Willie Mullins is 4/7 and Gordon Elliott is 5/4.

What a finish between two wonderful mares! Apple's Jade fends off Vroum Vroum Mag to win the Hatton's Grace: https://t.co/OzBAcUH1hD

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2016

(GC & EM)