Mares’ Hurdle or retirement for Honeysuckle, but no Champion Hurdle

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Honeysuckle could have her Cheltenham Festival swansong in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – with owner Kenny Alexander steering away from the Unibet Champion Hurdle after the mare suffered a second career defeat at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The nine-year-old was eclipsed for the first time in 17 races when only third in the Hatton’s Grace in December and found herself having to be content with place honours again under Rachael Blackmore, as State Man galloped home a clear winner of the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

While both trainer Henry de Bromhead and Alexander were satisfied with their superstar’s effort, they conceded the long-awaited clash with Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle now looks unlikely, with the Mares’ Hurdle prize Honeysuckle won in 2020 seemingly now the only option – although even that is not a given at this stage with retirement also in the mix.

Alexander said: “Age catches up with us all – one of the young pretenders has overtaken her and there’s one in England.

“Is she as good as she was? No, she’s not as good as she was. I wouldn’t overreact after her first run, she’s still very, very high class but she’s not quite as good as she was. She is nine now and she ran her heart out, she ran a blinder.

“We will definitely not be taking on Constitution Hill after that, because she is so brave and I would fear what would happen. We’re not running around for place money so it’s up to Henry, if he wants to chuck it now. I’ve always said ‘just get her out now, safe and sound’ and maybe the time has come.

“I know the horse is so brave and Rachael doesn’t muck about, we’d run to win and I’d dread anything happening to her now and I don’t think we can beat Constitution Hill – I’m not sure anything can.

“I thought she ran a blinder, but I’ll leave it to Henry and Rachael, whatever they say will go. I’d love to win another Mares’ and go out in a blaze of glory, but I don’t want anything to happen to her now.”

Honeysuckle, who had won the Irish Champion Hurdle three times previously, was applauded around the parade ring before the race and cheered all the way back to the unsaddling enclosure after the race.

Alexander admitted the reception meant a lot and was philosophical in defeat as the racing journey with his “horse of a lifetime” nears an end.

He said: “You do feel a bit of responsibility not to go to the well too many times, but I will leave it to Henry and Rachael. If they want to go for the Mares’ I’d love to win one more, but I’m not going to make any decision, I will leave it to them.

“We have won so many Grade Ones, she’s the horse of a lifetime – I’m not gutted, why would I be gutted? Gutted is when you get chinned in a bumper with something you spent a lot of money on, I feel gutted then, I don’t feel it today.

“She ran her heart out, got beat by a very good horse, a younger horse and I’m not gutted at all. It’s just a race, we go on.”

Honeysuckle is a dual Champion Hurdle winner
Honeysuckle is a dual Champion Hurdle winner (Nigel French/PA)

De Bromhead felt Honeysuckle had perhaps posted her best performance yet in the Leopardstown heat, even in defeat.

He told Racing TV: “I thought she ran really well, I’m delighted with the run and fair play to the winner. He won it well and that was it.

“I’d say she’s probably run to a higher standard (this year) possibly, I don’t know. The form people and all the gurus will work that out, but I thought she ran really well and we were happy with her.

“We know all about her, we don’t have to say anything about her courage and her attitude. She was brilliant all the way to the line.”

Honeysuckle got the better of Benie Des Dieux in an epic 2020 Mares' Hurdle (
Honeysuckle got the better of Benie Des Dieux in an epic 2020 Mares’ Hurdle (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

While initially unsure of future plans, De Bromhead later indicated the Mares’ Hurdle could be the best assignment, although he underlined plans were far from definite.

Speaking to ITV Racing, he said: “I don’t think now is the time to be making any decisions. It’s not up to me, but I wouldn’t be running her in the Champion Hurdle, if we were to run again I’d run in the Mares’ Hurdle. I wouldn’t like to force it.”

Coral pushed Honeysuckle out to 8-1 for the Champion Hurdle, but go 7-2 about her for the Mares’ Hurdle.

Il Etait Temps times it right, as Facile Vega disappoints

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Il Etait Temps was a shock winner as Facile Vega finished last of all in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Both horses are trained by Willie Mullins, but it was Facile Vega who was widely expected to triumph as the 4-9 favourite.

He faded quickly out of it after turning for home, however, whereas his stablemate was able to accelerate under Danny Mullins to stun onlookers with a nine-and-a-half-length success at 14-1.

There had been drama earlier on, too, when one-time Derby favourite High Definition parted company with JJ Slevin.

Mullins said: “They went a mad pace in front and it cost the favourite, I think.

We’ll probably just have to ride him like a racehorse rather than a machine the next time

“Joseph’s (O’Brien) horse (High Definition) wasn’t able to jump at that pace and he paid the penalty.

“I was worried when I saw the pace going past the winning post first time, I said they can’t keep this up.

“Then they jumped the two hurdles down the side and going around by the reservoir I turned to David Casey and said ‘these two are going to break each other’s heart’.

“High Definition lost his rider and I thought Paul (Townend) could get a breather into our fella but he didn’t get a breather.

“That was what I was worried about here the last day, that he took off going to that hurdle and used himself up.

“We’ll probably just have to ride him like a racehorse rather than a machine the next time because that’s what Paul did today, he rode him like a machine rather than a racehorse.

“We’ll change tactics on him the next day and hopefully he’ll be back to what he is.

“Not taking away from the winner, he’s a very good horse. He’s just got to get his jumping right, he made a mistake at the first again today. He’s a Grade One horse.

“I’ve always thought a lot of him, but he just has to get his jumping right. He got a very cute ride from Danny as well.

“He knew what was going to happen and he just popped him in behind and said ‘I’ll let the two in front have their battle and see if we can pick up the pieces afterwards’ and he surely did.

“They just went too fast in front, the pace was wrong, and Danny had his fractions right.”

Il Etait Temps
Il Etait Temps (PA)

Adding more on Facile Vega, Mullins said: “We’ll go to Cheltenham. High Definition’s jumping was always suspect and I think Paul didn’t want him in front of him.

“You saw what happened with Lossiemouth yesterday and Paul just had that in the back of his mind going out today.

“All our horses are well entered up and Il Etait Temps will be in the Ballymore as well.”

State Man too strong for Honeysuckle in Irish Champion

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State Man strode to a decisive victory over the gallant Honeysuckle in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 6-5 favourite after five successive victories over hurdles so far, the Willie Mullins-trained chestnut travelled at the head of the field throughout under Paul Townend.

Honeysuckle galloped in his slipstream until the closing stages, where she was unable to follow as State Man powered on off the bend and pulled away to cross the line four and three-quarter lengths ahead.

“Paul surprised me when he came into the parade ring and I asked him what he was going to do and he said he was going to make it,” said Mullins.

“He didn’t see much to make it in the race so I said ‘OK, do that’. It worked out, the horse is not used to being in front, but he jumped well enough in front and Paul thought he was a bit idle in front as well.

Paul Townend celebrates with State Man
Paul Townend celebrates with State Man (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“He did everything right and you couldn’t ask any more.”

When asked about the improvement in his jumping he added: “A lot of people forget that he won the County Hurdle and you don’t win that with sloppy jumping.

“In Punchestown it might have been a slow race and when it was slow he just took his time.

“When he has to be sharp he’s well able to jump very quickly. He jumped like a Champion Hurdler, I thought, all the way down the back.

“Paul asked some big questions and he came up every time. I was very happy.

“It’s nice to have a horse like him and fingers crossed that he stays right.”

Just behind Honeysuckle in third was the winner’s stablemate Vauban, and Mullins added: “I was very pleased with how Vauban finished off his race.

“He made a mistake at the first and he was a bit giddy before the race in the parade ring and didn’t like all that.

“He’s still learning and he’ll improve away. It might be next year before he’ll be the horse we think he is.”

Gentleman De Mee shocks hotpot stablemate Blue Lord

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Gentleman De Mee reversed the form with Blue Lord to land the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was a 15-2 shot in the Grade One for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins, who was deputising for the injured Mark Walsh after he was stood down following a fall in the opening race.

Blue Lord was the 1-4 favourite after trouncing stablemate Gentleman De Mee by 41 lengths when the pair last met in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase after Christmas – but this time it was the latter who triumphed by an easy seven lengths.

Mullins said: “I was disappointed with Blue Lord. It’s fantastic for Gentleman De Mee and great for Danny. I thought Danny was very brave on him and he was asking him everywhere the whole way down the back.

“The horse was loving it and responding to him. I thought it was a terrific performance. I was very happy with his last bit of work the other morning, I thought it was as good a gallop as I’ve ever seen him do.

“Things didn’t go right for him at Christmas, possibly a little bit of drier ground here played to his strengths rather than Blue Lord’s.

“Blue Lord had a very hard race at Christmas and Paul (Townend) thought that might have had an effect, but I think maybe it was just the change of ground.

“He was a very good novice but was just disappointing at Christmas. We forget about horses very quickly in this game. He proved today that he’s still there.”

Precautionary X-rays for luckless Mark Walsh after fall

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Mark Walsh was taken for precautionary X-rays after a heavy fall at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The rider was partnering 5-2 favourite Risk Belle in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle when the filly came down at the fifth flight.

Walsh, who only returned from a previous injury lay-off on Saturday, was taken to hospital for further examination, missing his later two rides on the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Dr Jennifer Pugh, senior medical officer for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: “Mark Walsh has been stood down for the day following his fall in Race One.

“He has been transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital for precautionary X-rays but was conscious at all times and moving all limbs.”

Mighty Potter far too good at Leopardstown

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Mighty Potter was a straightforward winner of the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell.

The even-money favourite raced near the head of the field of six throughout and was easily able to pull clear when asked around the final bend.

Comfortably ahead at the last fence, the six-year-old only pulled further away to prevail by eight and a half lengths from Adamantly Chosen.

In doing so he backed up his Grade One victory in the Drinmore Chase and gave Russell a first top-level triumph since he called a temporary halt to his retirement.

Mighty Potter came home a clear winner
Mighty Potter came home a clear winner (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Elliott said: “He’s a good horse and we’ve got a few nice novice chasers.

“Jack (Kennedy) was full of confidence after the last day. We watched the race together and he was happy that Davy let him roll on when he did.

“The further he goes, he drops his head, gets low and gallops.

“I was a bit nervous. I thought we’d win the first but we were a bit unlucky, got a bit far back.

“A few of our big shots yesterday didn’t run and he was kind of our first real one that had to win.

“He’s settling better now, before he was keen. I love that when he gets to the front he spits it out and from the last to the line he drops his head and gallops.”

Coral make Mighty Potter the 6-4 favourite for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and Elliott confirmed that will be the target – with Kennedy hopefully recovered from his broken leg and available to ride.

The trainer said: “The Turners is definitely where he’s going and hopefully this man beside me (Kennedy) gets the OK to be back riding him. If he doesn’t Davy is there, but we’re hoping this man is back.”

Mighty Potter was pulled up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, but Elliott has no fears about returning to Prestbury Park.

He added: “He’s a stronger horse now. He left his hind legs in a hurdle that day and Jack didn’t knock him around.

“We probably should have pulled him up straight away, but he said he’d jump another hurdle or two to get his confidence.”

Elliott has another star novice in Gerri Colombe
Elliott has another star novice in Gerri Colombe (Steven Paston/PA)

Mighty Potter was a second Grade One winner of the weekend for Elliott, with Gerri Colombe having landed the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over a similar trip at Sandown on Saturday.

The duo will not be clashing in the Turners though, with Gerri Colombe favourite for the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Elliott said: “He’s (Mighty Potter) probably a quicker horse than Gerri Colombe, but Gerri’s not bad either.

“I thought he was brilliant yesterday. He’s like a child’s pony at home, he’s so laid back.

“He was foot perfect, except for one, and we’ll go straight for the Brown Advisory now with him. I think the race will be made for him.”

Russell added that the prospect of riding Mighty Potter was instrumental in persuading him to return to the saddle, saying: “It’s a relief to have won on him.

“It was days like this that brought me back.

“I’m very grateful to all the lads for asking me and to all the owners who have supported me – it’s fantastic.”

Jonbon all set for weekend action, with Warwick still preferred option

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Warwick’s Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase remains the first preference for Jonbon at the weekend, but Nicky Henderson could yet also give his star novice a Newbury entry.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences so far, accounting for Monmiral by seven lengths on his chasing debut at Warwick before coasting to Grade One glory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.

Jonbon is the ante-post favourite for next month’s Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and while Henderson still favours sticking to novice company for his prep he has mentioned Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase in dispatches.

Jonbon made his chasing bow at Warwick
Jonbon made his chasing bow at Warwick (David Davies/PA)

He said: “I might put him in the Game Spirit at Newbury, but at the moment the plan remains to go to Warwick. That has been the plan all along. Everything has been great since Sandown and he is in super form.

“He schooled on Thursday and he has been great. Aidan (Coleman) will come and give him another pop over fences this week, but he is having a good time.

“He just wants one more run before Cheltenham and this fits perfectly. He was silky smooth at Sandown the last day. He jumped, he galloped and he showed he has gears.”

The Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo staked his own Arkle claims with victory in the Irish version at Leopardstown on Saturday and given there was only a neck between the pair when they clashed in last season’s Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Henderson is anticipating another titanic tussle next month.

Jonbon edged out El Fabiolo at Aintree
Jonbon edged out El Fabiolo at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

Henderson said: “That was a good race in Ireland (Irish Arkle) and El Fabiolo was only a neck behind Jonbon at Aintree last season.

“That is good form in Ireland and the danger to Jonbon in the Arkle was always going to come out of that race and it certainly has. El Fabiolo has beaten three good horses there in Banbridge, Appreciate It, and Dysart Dynamo.

“We just want Jonbon to have a nice time at Warwick to put himself right for Cheltenham.

“There is a little bit of room for this race to come and put him where we want him for Cheltenham.”

Cromwell could be tempted by Arkle with Final Orders

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Final Orders continued his rapid rise through the ranks to highlight a handicap double for Gavin Cromwell at Leopardstown.

While three of the Grade Ones on the card predictably went the way of Willie Mullins, although not all in the expected manner, both valuable handicaps went to Cromwell who can seemingly do no wrong at present.

Final Orders (9-2), rated only 59 on the Flat and 102 over hurdles, has been transformed over fences and was making it five out of six from a mark of 140.

Cromwell said: “He has massive scope, they are big fences around here but he just has so much scope. He loves it and is just thriving off it.

“He was off 140 there today and he’s only 102 over hurdles so it’s been a massive transformation.

“When we schooled him at home he jumped great, he’s very clever, but he really came alive when we ran him. That’s obviously the best race he’s run in and Keith (Donoghue) said it was the best feel he’s given him.

“I don’t know where we go from here, we’re probably gone out of the Grand Annual now and we might have to have a look at the Arkle. We’ll definitely have to consider it anyway.

“We went there last year with Gabynako and it’s a race that if you jump really well it does bring you into the race and does give you a chance.”

Perceval Legallois pulls away under Mark Walsh
Perceval Legallois pulls away under Mark Walsh (Donall Farmer/PA)

Earlier Perceval Legallois (4-1) had given Mark Walsh a first winner back from injury in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle, in which Gordon Elliott’s hot favourite Maxxum was sunk without track.

Cromwell said: “He was really good, he ran well at Christmas and the horses are on fire at the moment. He travelled so sweet today.

“The horses have just taken a huge step forward and I’m grateful.

“He got the run of the race, they didn’t go a wild gallop. He had a nice possie and quickened well, he just did everything well.

“He’s qualified for the Pertemps and after winning today he’ll probably get in.”

The closing Shabra Charity Oliver Brady Memorial Future Stars Grade Two bumper went the way of John Kiely’s A Dream To Share (12-1).

Having won two seemingly weaker races in the summer, he took his form to a whole new level under John Gleeson, who powered away from Fact To File with a long way back to the third.

Kiely said: “We didn’t know how good the races he’d run in were. We freshened him up and aimed for this. Where we go from here I don’t know!

“If he’s well, Cheltenham will have to be next.

“We’ve always liked him at home, but we don’t have that much to work him with.

“It’s great for the Gleeson family (owner/breeders). They are neighbours of mine.”

Third Time Lucki back to winning ways at Sandown

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Third Time Lucki stayed on nicely under a well-timed ride from Kielan Woods to collar long-time leader Fast Buck in the Virgin Bet Dolos Handicap Chase at Sandown.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old had won a couple of Grade Two contests in his novice season and had chased home Arkle winner Edwardstone in the Kingmaker at Warwick, yet had a bit to prove after a few lacklustre efforts subsequently.

With conditions ideal and fit from his seasonal bow, Mike and Eileen Newbould’s gelding was content to sit near the rear of the field before making stealthy headway to three out.

He cruised upsides Fast Buck at the last and powered up the hill for a fourth career success over fences.

Skelton said: “It was nice to see him come back. Obviously he did really well as a novice last year and struggled with a high handicap at the start of the season.

“He benefitted from an absolutely outstanding ride today. It was as nice a ride as you’d see. I’m delighted to see the horse get his head back in front.

“The ground was better. It was dead old ground, I would not be calling it lovely, good, spring ground, but it is significantly better than he won on the last twice, which has been a big help to him, no question.”

Third Time Lucki received a quote of 8-1 with Coral for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, although Skelton is in two minds.

He said: “He’ll have an entry. I’m not jumping up and down, it’s not the only thing, but he’ll get an entry for sure.”

Charlie Deutsch takes the plaudits after Green Book's victory
Charlie Deutsch takes the plaudits after Green Book’s victory (Steven Paston/PA)

There is not much of Green Book apart from heart, guts and an indelible will to please.

The Venetia Williams-trained 6-1 chance landed the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle for the second year in succession under Charlie Deutsch, pricking his ears after the last as he drew three lengths clear of Call Me Lord.

After his fourth career success over hurdles, the Kings Caple handler said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. He was originally going to run in the Lanzarote and I just thought that might be too much of a speed test, so we thought we’d leave him for the Lingfield three-miler, but that went west (with the meeting abandoned), so we really had to wait for this.

“I’m delighted we did. He is such a remarkable little horse. There’s nothing flashy at all. He is just amazing – he just keeps doing it.”

Chasing Fire remained unbeaten under Aidan Coleman
Chasing Fire remained unbeaten under Aidan Coleman (Steven Paston/PA)

Chasing Fire is a horse with immense promise and remained unbeaten with a third success over hurdles under Aidan Coleman.

The Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old had won a couple of bumpers last season, before two successive 16-length victories in each of his two hurdles contests at Market Rasen.

The Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle was a step up in class, one which the 4-6 favourite handled with ease, taking up the running from Iliko D’Olivate two out and drawing readily clear to win by six lengths.

Coral were impressed, cutting him to 14-1 (from 20-1) for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Murphy said: “I think he is good, but I don’t know how good he is. His main attribute is that he has got the most unbelievable way of doing everything.

“He is the most laid-back horse you will ever set your eyes on. He is in the Supreme and I would (like to have a go at it).

“He would be a 12-1 or 16-1 chance for the Supreme and if I didn’t go there I would be all but favourite for a Grade One at Aintree and that would be the Gold Cup of his novice career. He is going to be a very good chaser next season.

“I’ve had some good two-milers and I’ve been second and third in the race (Supreme). I’ve never had a horse to win a Supreme or be a champion, but he is unbeaten and he does what he has to do.”

Twin Power sparked a double for Paul Nicholls and jockey Adrian Heskin
Twin Power sparked a double for Paul Nicholls and jockey Adrian Heskin (Steven Paston/PA)

Twin Power (9-2) held off odds-on favourite Twin Jets to take the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

The Paul Nicholls-trained winner reversed the form with that rival, who had beaten him by nine lengths at Plumpton, but took advantage of an 8lb pull in the weights to win by a length and a quarter under Adrian Heskin and gain a first win in three tries over hurdles.

Inthewaterside (13-2) completed the Nicholls-Heskin double on the card when following up his Exeter bumper debut success, taking the Virgin Bet Open National Hunt Flat Race by six and a half lengths.

Cromwell remains cautious but ‘bit more positive’ on Flooring Porter

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Gavin Cromwell is feeling more positive about the chance of Flooring Porter being able to defend his Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham.

The dual winner of the race met with a setback last month that forced Cromwell to state his chance of running at the Festival was no better than “50-50″.

However, following a pleasing scan result this week the in-form trainer was able to be slightly more upbeat, without getting carried away.

“We got a bit of good news yesterday and we’re actually back riding him. He’s done a lot of swimming and hasn’t lost too much fitness,” said Cromwell, speaking at Leopardstown on Saturday.

“He’s going to be trotting for a few days, fingers crossed. He had to get a scan and it was good.

“I wouldn’t want to tempt fate, but it’s a bit more positive this week.”