Apple's Jade upset in Punchestown as Limini storms to victory in triumphant return

Apple's Jade may have started as a raging hot favourite at 2/5 for the Quevega Mares' Hurdle in Punchestown this afternoon, but it was the Willie Mullins trained Limini who landed victory in a race that was hotly contested by both favourites. Limini had not ran in 298 days, but the six-year-old made a stunning return to Punchestown to take the big race on Wednesday. Limini's last appearance in Punchestown came at the festival last April when she finished behind stablemate Whiteout, though this time it was Whiteout who endured a torrid time as she fell at the fourth hurdle. Apple's Jade made all the early running under Bryan Cooper, but it was Limini, guided superbly by Ruby Walsh, who reeled in the Gordon Elliott trained mare before making a move near the final straight and eventually edging home to a two-length victory. "Both mares have a bigger target in about 20 days," Walsh told Irish Racing when referring to Cheltenham following the race. "Here we steadied up from the fourth last up along, and it turned into a bit of a sprint to the last. We always knew our one wasn't short of pace but it was a good performance and it's onwards and upwards. She jumped very slick and accurate. She was close to the last hurdle but she was very fast at it. "Fingers crossed she'll come out of the race and she can start her prep for Cheltenham again next week."