Nicky Henderson’s Apple’s Shakira on track to run at Cheltenham on Saturday in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial

APPLE'S SHAKIRA is on track to run at Cheltenham on Saturday in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's four-year-old is already favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival after two impressive wins.

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Frank Berry, racing manager for Apple's Shakira's owner JP McManus, said: "She's in good form and the plan is to go to Cheltenham on Saturday.

"She's a very nice filly and hopefully she'll go well again."

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Berry also had news on last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Defi Du Seuil who is likely to return to action at the Dublin Festival at Leopardstown next month.

He has not been seen since November when he emphatically lost his unbeaten record for Philip Hobbs in the Coral Hurdle.

He was taken out of the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury at the latest entry stage and is instead set to step back up to the highest level in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle on February 3.

Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said: "I think the plan is to head to Ireland with him, but we should know more later in the week."