Honeysuckle ready for Irish Champion Hurdle defence
Star mare suffered shock defeat on seasonal bow.
Henry de Bromhead does not expect Honeysuckle to give up her crown lightly when she bids for fourth successive victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. The nine-year-old will return to Foxrock on something of a recovery mission on Sunday week, having suffered her first defeat in 17 career starts at Fairyhouse last month. Honeysuckle looked likely to secure her fourth Hatton’s Grace Hurdle after travelling strongly into the home straight, but her effort petered out between the final two flights and she was eventually beaten just under three lengths into third place behind Teahupoo and Klassical Dream. That eclipse immediately had those questioning whether the great mare was past her best, but De Bromhead insists there are no signs at home that her powers are on the wane.Honeysuckle is just too good 🙌
Honeysuckle wins the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC Watch LIVE:📺 @ITV4 📱 https://t.co/HGM9TtXkhB#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/SfLeOE9QOk — ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 6, 2021
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Dettori defends Barney Curley crown at storm-hit Bellewstown
Annual charity event cut short ‘in jumping weather’.
-
O’Brien: Arc was always a strong possibility for Continuous
Leger hero made all the right moves to be supplemented.
-
Rogues raring to go with two big chances on Arc weekend
‘It will be a fair old raid on Paris and we’re looking forward to having a good time’.
-
Marquand eyeing Group One double at Newmarket
Relief Rally and Lake Forest tackle juvenile highlights.
-
Mister Sketch looks to have done enough for this year
Hopes high for three-year-old campaign after Mill Reef near-miss.
-
Inishfallen bringing solid credentials to Newmarket challenge
Solario Stakes runner-up looking to go one better in Tattersalls Stakes.
-
Through Seven Seas sets sail for Arc glory for Japan
‘I believe at the moment the mare is the best horse the Japanese could have sent’.
-
Continuous and Fantastic Moon added to Arc field
St Leger and Prix Niel winners set to line up at ParisLongchamp.
-
Burrows happy to head to Paris with fresh Hukum
Arc contender will have just his third run of the year in Sunday’s Group one highlight.
-
Foniska an easy Navigation Stakes winner at Cork
The filly runs in the silks of the Niarchos family.