After connections confirmed different plans for both Apple’s Jade and Yanworth in the final weeks of the season, Aintree has re-opened the entry stage into the Aintree Hurdle.
Apple’s Jade, who conquered Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini in a thrilling Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, looked set for an appearance at Aintree, but Gigginstown Stud manager, Eddie O’Leary confirmed to the press on Friday that his star mare will not be making another journey to England this season.
O’Leary told the Irish Independent, “Everything is fine with Apple’s Jade but she’s being kept for Ireland later in the season.”
Cheltenham champion, Buveur D’Air is the current favourite for the Aintree Hurdle, but the two-and-a-half mile trip looked to suit Yanworth perfectly, as he had seemed set to seek revenge for his loss in the Champion Hurdle.
However, Frank Berry – racing manager for owner J.P. McManus, who owns Buveur D’Air, Yanworth and another potential Aintree Hurdle entrant, Jezki – confirmed to the press that Yanworth could be pushed up to three miles for the first time and given a crack at the Liverpool Hurdle on the final Saturday f the meeting.
“We’ll see (about Jezki), but the plan is for Buveur D’Air to run (in the Aintree Hurdle).” Berry also told the Irish Independent. “Jezki is in the three-mile Liverpool Hurdle but there’s a good chance he’ll go in the Aintree Hurdle.”
“(It is) more than likely Yanworth will run in the Liverpool Hurdle.”
With two, and possibly three, of its star entrants looking at different races, Festival organisers have reopened the entry stage for the Aintree Hurdle, in the hope it will attract some late additions to the soon-to-be-depleted field of nine.
