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Honeysuckle looks sweet for record Hatton’s bid

UNBEATEN Honeysuckle will face a maximum of eight rivals when she makes her seasonal debut and bids for a record fourth win in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Winner of 16 races, including 12 at Grade 1 level, Henry de Bromhead’s mare will be attempting to better the record of three-time winners Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple’s Jade in the weekend showpiece.

And her trainer, on the mark with

Marvel De Cerisy at Punchestown yesterday, confirmed Kenny Alexander’s eight-year-old mare in fine fettle ahead of her return: “She seems in good order and everyone is happy with her,” he said.

Nine horses stood their ground for the Hatton’s

Grace at yesterday’s forfeit stage, with Willie Mullins

(inset) to choose between top stayer Klassical Dream,

Saldier and Echoes In Rain, who chased home Honeysuckle in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, when we last saw the dual-champion.

And Gordon Elliott is expected to run Teahupoo, ahead of Sire Du Berlais and Commander Of Fleet in a field vying for a winner’s prize of €70,800.

Sunday’s Bar One Racingsponsored card features three Grade 1 events, with the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and Drinmore Novice Chase always cracking early-season indicators.

And both Mullins and Elliott will be well-represented in both, along with Barry Connell who will be another trainer with high hopes with Marine National and Enniskerry respectively.

UNBEATEN MARE Honeysuckle will face a maximum of eight rivals on Sunday