Honeysuckle will face up to eight rivals as he bids for a record fourth win in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple’s Jade all claimed a hat-trick in the two-and-a-half-mile feature, but if Henry de Bromhead’s star makes a winning return to action on Sunday, she will stand alone as a four-time. Victor.
The eight-year-old’s unbeaten record of 16 races is also on the line, but De Bromhead believes his dual Champion Hurdle winner is ready for Grade One action.
How the powerful mare Honeysuckle fares ahead of her bid to win a fourth consecutive Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at @Fairyhouse Sunday?
🗣️ @HenrydeBromhead gives Gary O’Brien an update after cheating the first winner at @punchestownrace. pic.twitter.com/lky3KpzckW
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 29, 2022
He said: “She’s great, she doesn’t mind. She is very good and seems in good shape. Everyone seems happy with her.
“She’s done more or less what she’s supposed to do, she looks good, she looks in good shape and everything’s good, we’re happy.”
Echoes in the rain finished three lengths behind Honeysuckle when the pair were last seen in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle and that mare is part of a possible three-strong challenge from Willie Mullins.
See how Honeysuckle won his third Hatton’s Grace
Six times Grade I winner The Classic Dream and the recent Morgiana the third Balance make up the Closutton handler team, Gordon Elliott, also potentially three-handed with Teahupoo, Fleet Commander and Sire Du Berlais.
of Gavin Cromwell Darver Star and Jessica Harrington-trained Ashdale Bob feature as well.
Sweet 16 in Drinmore
Joseph O’Brien’s recent Cheltenham winner Banbridge is one of 16 in the running for the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase – a race in which Mullins and Elliott are also well represented.
Mullins has the choice of Adamantly Chosen, Authorized Art, El Barra, Gaillard Du Mesnil and Shadow Rider in Grade One, with Three Stripe Life, Minella Crooner, Hollow Games and Mighty Potter giving Elliott a strong hand to choose from.
The third top-level event on the card is the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, for which 11 stayed.
Marine Nationale are unbeaten in three for Barry Connell, while Mullins has gone to Ashroe Diamond, Champ Kiely, Hercule Du Seuil and Polo Lounge – all of whom have won at least once already this term.
A total of 26 horses remain in the Baroneracing.com Handicap Hurdle, with Tony Martin’s hat-trick seeker Nibiru and double Guinness Galway Hurdle winner Tudor City, Willie Mullins’ Icare Allen and the Pinkerton Chief trained by Noel Meade among them.
Soil that gives way to soft, says Roe
Peter Roe, managing director of Fairyhouse Racecourse, said on Tuesday: “We are very excited about what should be a very informative weekend’s racing when Honeysuckle bids for history as the first four-time winner of the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle .
The ground is currently giving way to soft with a cloudy forecast with occasional showers which should provide a perfect jumping ground. I would encourage people to book online for discounts before the race for what should be a day to remember.”
Bar One Racing CEO Barney O’Hare said: “We’re really looking forward to the weekend, especially Sunday’s card. It is exciting to attach the Bar One Racing brand to such prestigious equipment. Honeysuckle will start a very short price for a fourth successive Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
She is at the box office and her presence will attract massive interest from all over the world. Bar One Racing Drinmore is gearing up to be competitive. It looks like Gordon Elliott could be accompanied by two or three.
“We hope Bar One Racing Royal Bond attracts a healthy field and Champ Kiely could be a major player with Willie Mullins chasing a sixth win in the last nine years. Apart from the Grade Ones, the supporting book is first class. he has had competitive handicaps, the best juvenile hurdle of the year so far and a bumper that invariably produces a very smart horse.”