Mares’ land of milk & Honey
Henry de Bromhead believes Honeysuckle can raise the roof again.
Scots owner Kenny Alexander’s mare is bidding for a fourth straight Festival triumph as she prepares to say farewell to racing.
The Mares’ Hurdle is the route after a bid to win a third successive Champion Hurdle was aborted following backto-back losses this term.
She surrendered her unbeaten tag when third in the Hatton’s Grace, while Champion Hurdle-bound State Man was too good at Leopardstown last time.
But de Bromhead knows the reception will be special if the nineyear-old wins. He said: “A lot of people would love to see it happen.
It’s great she’s getting
the opportunity. It’s a tough task, a very competitive Mares’ Hurdle, there’s plenty in it. But we just feel it’s a better option for us now. She’s in great form, loves it there and has won the race before.
“She’s a year older and we will have to see.
“In an ideal world, if I could have changed the ground for Fairyhouse and Leopardstown, better ground over two-and-a-half and soft over two, she probably would have finished a lot closer in both.
“But there you go, it’s not an ideal world and we couldn’t.”
De Bromhead has A Plus Tard and Minella Indo for the Gold Cup, the pair first and second the last two times.
A Plus Tard goes in without a run and he added: “It’s a tough ask but he’s a good horse, was impressive last year and we feel he’s coming all the time for us.”
On Minella Indo, he said: “He’s a bit older but loves Cheltenham and always comes to life at this time of year.”