Honey still going sweetly for Henry
HONEYSUCKLE will face a maximum of eight rivals when she bids for back-to-back victories in the Baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead’s mare was the winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One last season — and went on to extend her unbeaten record to eight with further top-level victories in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and t he Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. The six-year- old is likely to be a warm order to make a reappearance at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Willie Mullins has confirmed last year’s runner-up Bacardys, as well as Saldier.
Gordon Elliott’s pair of Cracking Smart and Fury Road, Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge, the Mouse Morristrained French Dynamite, Matthew Smith’s stable star Ronald Pump and Supasundae f r om Jessica Harrington’s yard are hopefuls.
The first of three Grade Ones on the card is the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Cheveley Park Stud have a major contender in Ballyadam. The Cullentra handler has also confirmed One Down and The Very Man.
Mullins can this year choose from N’Golo, Cheltenham Festival winner Concertista, Getaway Gorgeous and unbeaten mare Shewearsitwell.
Meade could saddle Cask Mate and Jesse Evans, with Dewcup (Ted Walsh) and Annexation (De Bromhead, right)) also in the mix.
Envoi Allen is the star attraction amongst seven contenders for the Drinmore Novice Chase, and is joined by a trio of stablemates in Andy Dufresne, Coko Beach and Easywork.
The seven- strong potential field is completed by Joseph O’Brien’s trio of Assemble, Embittered and Home By The Lee.
Elliott also dominates the entries for the Bar One Racing Price Boost Juvenile Hurdle, with Glorious Zoff, Quilixios and Zanahiyr all possible representatives.
O’Brien’s Druid’s Affair and Mullins-trained French recruit Saint Sam could take them on.
Mullins is entering Albert Bartlett winner Monkfish and The Big Getaway for the beginners chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.