By far the strongest card of the National Hunt season to date and one which yielded an unprecedented clean sweep for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud represents the pick of last week’s action.

However, while the Elliott-Gigginstown axis dominated the three Grade 1 events on offer this card was also one to savour for several of the country’s smaller yards. Firstly there is no doubt that Gavin Cromwell has a leading Triumph Hurdle candidate in the unbeaten Espoir D’allen.

Pat Kelly’s Presenting Percy was nothing short of electric in winning a handicap chase off top weight and his performance was perhaps the best effort from a novice chaser this season.

Meanwhile, Margaret Mullins unveiled a tremendous prospect in Downtown Getaway who won a quality bumper in good style while John Joe Walsh’s Davids Charm continued his rapid ascent up the ratings by claiming a €100,000 handicap hurdle.

In short days like this amply illustrate that these high profile days in Irish jump racing aren’t just the preserve of major yards.

Three's a charm

In terms of the Grade 1 action this was truly a day to remember for Elliott and never before had the three main races at this fixture been won by the same trainer. Mengli Khan stamped himself as the leading two mile novice hurdler in the country with a smooth Royal Bond victory and the high class Death Duty was his usual polished self in the Drinmore Novice Chase.

However, the day belonged to Apple’s Jade for her demolition of the Stayers Hurdle hero Nichols Canyon in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. This mare has produced her share of wondrous displays in the past but this was possibly better than any of them. It is doubtful if there is a mare around that can match her when she is in such form.