Coach Henry de Bromhead is open to operating Honeysuckle within the Mares’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition in March if there’s any proof that her powers have waned.
Honeysuckle’s try and win the Champion Hurdle for the third time in a head-to-head with Nicky Henderson-trained Structure Hill, the brand new poster boy of British bounce racing, is essentially the most anticipated race of the season.
De Bromhead feels that Honeysuckle’s defeat within the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle — her first loss in 17 races — was resulting from being outstayed in a contest over two and a half miles on testing floor.
Honeysuckle may very well be downgraded to race within the Mares’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition
Honeysuckle and jockey Rachael Blackmore completed third in Sunday’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle
However he added he can be glad to modify Honeysuckle to the lesser Mares’ Hurdle, which she received on her first go to to the Competition in 2020. De Bromhead stated: ‘We are able to take a look at the Mares’ Hurdle, that’s all the time an alternative choice. It could be very a lot in my thoughts. My job is to attempt to discover the race she will be able to win.
‘If connections need to do one thing else, I’ll wholeheartedly try this as nicely, so we’ll see. That’s all a great distance away and all people has to get there.’
Honeysuckle coach Henry de Bromhead is contemplating what race to place the mare in at Cheltenham
Honeysuckle jockey Blackmore (center) and De Bromhead (left) have a good time profitable the Paddy Energy Champion Hurdle in April
Honeysuckle’s subsequent run is within the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February and De Bromhead added: ‘We’re in bonus territory. It’s unbelievable what she’s achieved and I don’t assume it’s completed but.’
De Bromhead was speaking at Cork, the place he secured two wins. One in all them, by the spectacular Rachael Blackmore-ridden Hiddenvalley Lake within the Grade Three novices’ hurdle, prompted 7-1 quotes for the Competition’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
There isn’t any jumps racing in Britain on Monday after Market Rasen and Plumpton have been deserted.
