Last weekend didn’t get off to the best start for Gordon Elliott, the highly touted Samcro was somewhat put in his place by reigning champion hurdler Buveur D’Air at Newcastle, but the Meath trainer roared back on Sunday, recording a four-timer at his local track Fairyhouse.

The pick of the four winners was undoubtedly Apple’s Jade who not only won her third Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, but trounced a quality field in doing so. It was 20 lengths back to the runner-up Supasundae, who simply couldn’t live with the mare. Owner Michael O’Leary was on hand to see Apple’s Jade, who at the age of six, was remarkably emulating the brilliant mare Solerina and Limestone Lad, by winning this race for a third time.

“She is just a fantastic mare and we’re very lucky to have her,” Elliott said speaking at his Cullentra House base on Monday morning. “People are talking about the Champion Hurdle but I’ve always been of the opinion you go for the race you have the best chance of winning. We’ll all sit down and have a chat about it soon.”

Elliott also took the Drinmore Novice Chase with Delta Work, despite Davy Russell losing an iron after an awkward jump at the last. The five-year-old proved too strong for Joseph O’Brien’s Le Richebourg and is a likely RSA Chase contender for Cheltenham now.

Earlier Elliott recorded a one-two in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle that opened the Bar One Racing-backed card, through Chief Justice and Coeur Sublime. The £400,000 purchase Envoi Allen rounded off the day for Elliott with an impressive win in the concluding bumper.

The other Grade 1 on the card went to Willie Mullins, who sent out Quick Grabim to win the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. Excellently ridden from the front by Ruby Walsh, the six-year-old ran out a comfortable winner from Triplicate.