Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HONEYSUCKLE’S LATE TO FLOWER
PUNTERS will have to wait until the last minute to discover unbeaten mare Honeysuckle’s Cheltenham Festival target.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained mare is a perfect seven from seven under her jockey Rachael Blackmore, including a triumph in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival last month.
Honeysuckle holds entries in both the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the National Hunt Festival on Tuesday week and the Close Brothers Hurdle the same afternoon – with her connections “leaning towards” a clash with fellow supermare Benie Des Dieux in the latter race.
However, Peter Molony, racing manager to Honeysuckle’s owner, Kenny Alexander, warned yesterday that a final decision has yet to be made.
Honeysuckle, a 4-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle, is a 6-4 shot for the Close Brothers Hurdle.
Molony said: “She will be confirmed for both races, and we are going to leave it late before deciding. We are still leaning towards the mares’ race, but it is not an easy decision to make.
“The Champion Hurdle is open this year, and it will be no easy task to take on Benie Des Dieux.”
Definity Red was cut to 14-1 (from 25-1) for the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on 4 April after posting 14-length margin in the Listed William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Premier Chase at Kelso.
Brian Ellison’s 11-yearold was pulled up behind One For Arthur in the 2017 National, but ran a better race over the famous fences when fourth to Walk In The Mill in the Becher Chase last December.
And Ellison said: “I’ve backed him for the National, despite not being a big gambler – I’ve always thought the race would suit him.”
MAXIMUM SECURITY – controversially disqualified from first place in the Kentucky Derby last May – won the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, in Riyadh yesterday.