Gigginstown superstar mare Apple's Jade will have a week or so off from training after her brilliant 20 length victory on Sunday at Fairyhouse to land her third consecutive Hatton's Grace.
After the race it came about that she pulled off one of her shoes which consequently pulled a bit of her hoof way aswell.
This is not expected to make her miss her scheduled next run at Leopardstown over Christmas, but it has meant she has had have some treatment.
(Credit Racing UK) Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “She pulled a shoe on her near-fore at Fairyhouse. She had no shoe coming back in and pulled a bit of her hoof away – so we just have a poultice on.
“She’ll have an easy time this week and will go straight to Leopardstown all being well. She has a couple of entries, but I’d imagine she’ll go for the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (over three miles).”
Elliott added: “It’s unbelievable to think she’s only a six-year-old and she’s won eight Grade One races. She looks like she is getting better.
“She was in season at Cheltenham and Punchestown last year. Whether we were unlucky or it was just that time of year, I don’t know. In fairness, she was only beaten a few lengths but just didn’t shine both days.
“We have spoken with a couple of veterinary surgeons and we are going to do a little procedure on her after Christmas, so we hope she won’t come back in season.”
Elliott when speaking after her victory in Ireland was still edging his head towards the Mares Hurdle at the festival but there was some calls for her to take on the boy's in the Champion Hurdle.
(Credit Racing UK) The trainer said: “She would get the mares allowance in a Champion Hurdle – but from what I saw of Buveur D’Air the other day, I think he is going to be very hard to beat.
“I’m a big believer in going for the race you have the best chance of winning, and at Cheltenham that is the Mares’ Hurdle. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then.”
After the trainer this weekend saw his other hurdling superstar Samcro get dominated in the fighting fifth at Newcastle on Saturday there was some thinking left to be done for what to do with his six year old next.
Elliott said: “You are always disappointed when you don’t win – but there was no excuse, and he ran his heart out. He jumped and galloped to the line but was just beaten by a very good horse.
“He pulled clear of last year’s Supreme Novices’ winner (Summerville Boy). That was as good as he was on the day, and there is no making excuses.
“I thought if we were ever going to beat him it might be then – because we had a run under our belt, and he was making his reappearance. It’s going to be hard to turn the tables – but you should never be afraid of one horse, and a lot can happen between now and March.
“There is every chance he could step up in trip. I didn’t get a chance to talk with (owners) Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) yet, but I’m sure we’ll have a chat around the end of the week.
“He’s come out of the race well, and he looks brilliant.”