NO STOPPING THE CHAMP
Henry hails his Honey as the fairytale continues
HENRY de Bromhead declared: “The fairytale continues – it’s ridiculous.”
And we witnessed Chapter 16 of the tale as the remarkable Honeysuckle extended her unbeaten record to 16 races with a typically business-like victory in the €300,000 Paddy Power Champion Hurdle in Punchestown.
Before a modern-day festival record crowd of 40,984, the eight-year-old and Rachael Blackmore delivered again, bagging her 12th Grade 1 prize.
The 1/5 favourite tracked a strong pace set by Saint Roi. Rachael eased the mare into a challenging position at the second last flight and, in typical style, the mare clicked into top gear turning for home, was soon in command and stayed on to beat Echoes In Rain.
Trainer of the runner-up Willie Mullins described the winner as “a legend in her own lifetime”, after she triumphed by three lengths, with Darasso coming from off her pace to snatch third prize from Saint Roi.
“I’m relieved,” stated a delighted Henry de Bromhead (below). “She’s going to get beaten some day, so it’s always a relief to get her home safe and sound. It’s been great to see the welcome she got in Leopardstown, in Cheltenham and, again, today.”
Summing up the race, he added: “Everything went well. She jumped very well, although she came out of Rachael’s hands at the third last.
“But she’s so accurate and Rachael is so good on her and doesn’t interfere. She’s so straightforward in her races and, Rachael, who is under plenty of pressure every time the mare runs, is in control.
“I got a bit nervous turning-in – when you have Willie and Paul coming behind you, you’re never comfortable.”
de Bromhead indicated that, all being well, Honeysuckle will follow the same route through next season, kicking-off in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse.
Mullins dominated the rest of the card, reaching a career milestone when Billaway - ridden by son Patrick, provided him with his 200th winner of the season in Ireland - by outpointing Vaucelet in the Champion Hunters Chase.
The champion trainer is now on the 13-winner mark for the week, thanks to yesterday’s four-timer, which was highlighted by State Man’s smooth success, under Paul Townend, in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, an eighth Grade 1 success of the week for Closutton.
“He’s very possibly a Champion Hurdle contender,” stated Mullins after the 11/10 favourite’s seven lengths victory over Flame Bearer.
“That’s the route he’ll follow – we can see now that he’s a Grade 1 horse and he’ll have to prove it again in open company.”
Mullins was also successful with El Barra, a first Punchestown Festival winner for Jack Foley, in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase and Aintree runner-up El Fabiolo (a real chaser-inthe-making) in the Sales Sense International Novice Hurdle.