DE BROMHEAD: HONEYSUCKLE BEST BAR NONE
Irish Champion Hurdle
Leopardstown, 3.10pm, ITV4 BY
HONEYSUCKLE still “sets the bar” – despite her underdog status in today’s Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.
The Henry de Bromhead-saddled mare has captured the past three runnings of the Leopardstown feature – a record bettered only by modern greats Istabraq, with four, and five-time victor Hurricane Fly.
The bookies prefer State Man – Willie
Mullins’ challenger heads Ladbrokes’ betting at 11-10, with Honeysuckle, for good measure a dual winner of Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle, second choice at 7-4 – for the two-mile Grade 1.
But De Bromhead (right) believes Rachael Blackmore’s mount – who locks horns with State Man and Vauban – maintains the standard her rivals must aim at.
“Betting-wise, that’s not my business, but I would believe she sets the bar,” said the Co Waterford trainer.
“I would have felt that State Man and Vauban – if they beat her, they will have improved, and people think that, potentially, they will.
“We’re trying to win our fourth Irish
Champion Hurdle, and that would be an incredible feat.”
Honeysuckle was unbeaten for the opening 16 starts of her career – but finally tasted a first defeat when third to Teahupoo on her return to action in the top-level Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December.
The winner is now the favourite for Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle after an authoritative victory in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month.
De Bromhead added: “People keep saying to me it was good to see Teahupoo win since.
“But I never had an issue with the form – soft ground, two and a half, and her first run of the year.
“We were disappointed to be beaten, but very happy with the run.”
The options for Honeysuckle include the Champion Hurdle – Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill dominates the betting for the Tuesday feature at 1-4 – or retirement.
But De Bromhead reserves the right to send Sulamani’s daughter for the Mares’ Hurdle – she beat Benie Des Dieux for the same prize in 2020 – at the National Hunt Festival.
He added: “She goes to Cheltenham, bar that it is really disappointing tomorrow, and I think both options are open.
“She’s great – she seems in really good form – and we’re looking forward to it.”