Tag Archive for: Henry de Bromhead

Sweet Athasi success for Honey Girl

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Honey Girl led home a one-two for trainer Joseph O’Brien in the Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.

Placed at Group Three level and sixth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last season for Henry de Bromhead, Honey Girl changed hands for 180,000 guineas in November and made an immediate impact on her debut for new connections when notching a first career victory at the Curragh in late March.

The four-year-old faced a step back up in class for this seven-furlong Group Three, but proved more than up to the task in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, picking up well without being asked for maximum effort to prevail by an impressive three and a half lengths.

The winner’s high-class stablemate Agartha was best of the rest in second, with the William Haggas-trained 5-2 favourite Queen Aminatu a disappointing seventh of eight runners.

O’Brien said of Honey Girl: “She had some very smart form last season for Henry de Bromhead and ran very well in Group One company.

“She won very well here last time and it’s nice to see her back that up with another good performance today. She’s an exciting filly for the future.

Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle (right) with trainer Joseph O’Brien at the Curragh
Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle (right) with trainer Joseph O’Brien at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It’s nice to see her back up a good run with another good run as she didn’t always so that. They get confidence from winning, there is no doubt about that, and it’s nice to win a Group race with her.

“We don’t have anything immediately in mind, but her owners are Australian and they are going to Royal Ascot so there is a fair chance she’ll turn up there somewhere, but she’ll probably be at her best in the spring and autumn when she has a bit of juice in the ground.

“I was very proud of Agartha’s run. She disappointed us a little bit here the first day of the season but it was nice to see her come back to nearly her best form today. I’m sure there is more to come from her.”

Inthepocket collects Top Novices’ prize for De Bromhead and Blackmore

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Rachael Blackmore steered Inthepocket to a first Grade One success in the Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

A Grade Two winner at Navan earlier in the season for Henry de Bromhead, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old went on to fill the runner-up at the highest level at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing a creditable fourth to Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

On the strength of that form Inthepocket was the 3-1 favourite for his third top-level assignment and after racing close to the pace throughout, he moved smoothly to the lead halfway up the straight and found plenty for pressure on the run-in to secure the honours by length and three-quarters.

Strong Leader came from a mile back to fill the runner-up spot, charging home to beat Luccia to the silver medal, with Hansard not far behind that pair in fourth.

De Bromhead said: “The Supreme form looks very good, I’m delighted with that and I think that is our first Grade One winner for the McManus family so really happy with that.

“He warmed into it, he was a little bit slow over the first couple but he’s a horse we’ve always thought a lot of and it’s nice to see him go and prove it.

“I was a bit worried about coming back after Cheltenham, but it didn’t make a difference. He was really good.

“I imagine he’ll be going in a field now and then we’ll see. He’s obviously got good size and scope so we’ll see, there are no plans at the moment.”

Rachael Blackmore all smiles in victory
Rachael Blackmore all smiles in victory (PA)

He added: “I’m open minded about next year. There’s been some good novices this season. He won a nice race at Naas then it was a bit of a funny race at the Dublin Racing Festival before he ran a nice race at Cheltenham in the Supreme.

“But he’s growing up with every run. He’s got pace and he says, he’s a really exciting horse.”

Blackmore said:” I was always happy and if anything I got carried into it a bit too soon because it is a long way to the line from the back of the last. Dropping my stick didn’t help either, but we got away with it.”

Luccia could next be seen on the Flat
Luccia could next be seen on the Flat (Mike Egerton/PA)

Nicky Henderson will target the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with Luccia next term, but her immediate aim could be on the level.

He said: “She’s been to both dances (Cheltenham and Aintree) and run two good races in Grade Ones.

“My target with her is to visit the starting stalls as the plan is to give her a spin on the Flat in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on May 3.

“I’m not afraid to go up to two and a half miles and next season her campaign will be based around the mares’ race.”

‘Blackmore effect’ sees Ain’t That A Shame power to forefront of National market

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Punters are backing Rachael Blackmore to land a second Randox Grand National, with her mount Ain’t That A Shame rocketing to the top echelons of the market for Saturday’s Aintree showpiece.

Blackmore created history two years ago when steering Minella Times to victory, becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

Like Minella Times, Ain’t That A Shame is trained by Henry de Bromhead.

The nine-year-old registered his first chase success at the seventh time of asking at Gowran Park last month, with the form subsequently boosted when runner-up Macs Charm scored at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Having been as long as 16-1 with some firms on Friday morning, he halved in price by the afternoon.

And Blackmore feels he has the right credentials to run a big race in the National.

“Ain’t That A Shame has a lovely profile for the race,” she told her Betfair blog.

“He was unlucky to be just beaten in the Munster National at Limerick in October, and it wasn’t my best day in the saddle when I finished fourth on him in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

“But he won nicely at Gowran the last day, and it was no harm that the runner-up came out and won at Fairyhouse there at the weekend.

“You don’t really know how a horse will handle the track or the fences until you get out there, but he had a pop over the National fences at the Curragh, and he went well. I’d be confident that he will take to the fences fine.

“He travels well through his races, which is a big help. You’re just hoping that you can get into a nice position and find a nice racing rhythm over the first few fences. I am hopeful that he can.

“After that, you never know, it’s the Grand National, but he has his chance and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Speaking further after riding Inthepocket to victory in the Minella Times colours on Friday, Blackmore added: “Everyone who is down at the start is in with a chance, that is the kind of race it is. It is really exciting to be part of it and on such a good horse and I can’t wait.

Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National Handicap with Minella Times
Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National Handicap with Minella Times (Tim Goode/PA)

“I never really felt much pressure in the race in the first place. It is just a race that everyone knows there are so many different things that can happen. You might be on the favourite, but it is not like riding the favourite in the Champion Hurdle. It doesn’t carry the same pressure as there are so many different variables in the Grand National.

“You are delighted to be down there and I will give it a crack and see what happens. It is a different atmosphere in the weighing room. Everyone is wishing each other good luck. It definitely has a different feeling to any other race that I’ve ridden in.

“He has a really good profile for the race and he is a very exciting horse to ride in it. He did (run in the same race that Minella Times ran in before winning the Grand National at Leopardstown) and I maybe didn’t give him the best ride in that race and he finished fourth. There is definitely more to come from him.”

Ain’t That A Shame runs in the colours of Brian Acheson’s Robcour – but he seemingly does not share Blackmore’s optimism, saying: “I don’t know where the money is coming from. I really don’t, he’s useless, genuinely, he’s useless!”

Blackmore became the first female jockey to win Cheltenham Gold Cup when A Plus Tard scored for De Bromhead in 2022
Blackmore became the first female jockey to win Cheltenham Gold Cup when A Plus Tard scored for De Bromhead in 2022 (PA)

De Bromhead also saddles Gabbys Cross, who was third in the Leinster National at Naas when ridden by Blackmore.

Peter Carberry renews the partnership this time and the trainer said: “I think we’ve two live chances with Gabbys Cross and Ain’t That A Shame.

“They are both in good form and hopefully they can give a good account of themselves.”

Bookmakers are attributing the welter of cash to Blackmore’s popularity.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The ‘Blackmore effect’ appears to be sweeping the nation as everyone seems to be getting behind Ain’t That A Shame in the Grand National.

“Blackmore made history by becoming the first woman to win the famous race two years ago and the public are backing her to repeat that feat. As bookmakers, it’s certainly a result we are praying to avoid.”

Envoi Allen has ‘definite aim’ of going for gold at Punchestown

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Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen will target the Punchestown Gold Cup after his fantastic Ryanair Chase success.

The multiple Grade One winner disappointed in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day day but was right back at his best at the Cheltenham Festival, defeating Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin by two and three-quarter lengths.

De Bromhead has drawn a line through the Kempton run and is now targeting the Cheveley Park-owned gelding at the Ladbrokes-sponsored showpiece on April 26.

“This is a definite aim for Envoi Allen,” he said of the Punchestown feature.

““He was a good winner of the Grade One in Down Royal (Ladbrokes Champion Chase) over three miles and his only blip this season was in the King George VI at Kempton.

Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen
Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen (Mike Egerton/PA)

“At that time, we had three horses that went over to England and ran appallingly, though Envoi and A Plus Tard had independent reasons for that. Still, they were all beaten after three fences.

“In fairness to Envoi, he has done very little wrong and was brilliant in the Ryanair. He seems really good since then.”

However, plans are still fluid for stablemate Minella Indo, who was pulled up with a lap to go when trying to reclaim his Cheltenham Gold Cup title.

“Minella Indo was very disappointing in the Gold Cup,” De Bromhead said.

“The start was a mess for him and nothing seemed to go right after that. He seems well again now and we’ve got three weeks to decide what we want to do.”

Envoi Allen and Minella Indo are part of a potentially stellar cast, which includes Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins) and runner-up Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls). Shark Hanlon’s Hewick – who was still in the mix when departing two from home in the Gold Cup – is also engaged.

A Plus Tard camp feeling increasingly upbeat, as Gold Cup defence looms

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A Plus Tard was nothing short of sensational in winning last year’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – but returns with a point to prove.

Runner-up to stablemate Minella Indo two years ago, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding turned the tables with a stunning 15-length success under the history-making Rachael Blackmore 12 months ago.

Few would have believed then A Plus Tard would be a relatively big price to successfully defend his crown, but that is the case following a disappointing season thus far.

The nine-year-old stopped to a walk when pulled up in his bid for back-to-back Betfair Chase wins at Haydock in November – and with a minor knock ruling him out of an intended outing at Leopardstown over Christmas, he has not been seen since that listless display.

However, trainer Henry de Bromhead has been making positive noises regarding A Plus Tard’s well-being in recent weeks and Cheveley Park director Richard Thompson is hopeful he can bounce back to his brilliant best.

“I saw Henry on Wednesday morning and all is in good shape. His horses have been running well this week, which is a good sign, and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“We know the prep has been difficult with him – he hasn’t finished a race since the Gold Cup last year.

“It could go either way, couldn’t it? He’s either going to be bang there in the mix or he’s not.

Richard Thompson (right) with A Plus Tard at Haydock
Richard Thompson (right) with A Plus Tard at Haydock (Simon Marper/PA)

“I think last year one was really hopeful. He was 100-30 and there wasn’t really a doubt that he wouldn’t run a big race, particularly after being second the year before.

“This year there is that doubt, so it’s a different feeling going into it this year, but it’s fantastic to be lining up in a great field with a previous winner of the race.

“Winning the Gold Cup is always the pinnacle and whatever happens this week we’re already in bonus territory.”

With his horses performing tremendously well this week, De Bromhead is excited to send both A Plus Tard and Minella Indo into battle once more.

“They are in good form so we’ll just see how it goes,” said the Knockeen-based trainer.

“Who knows what the ground will be we’ll just have to see what happens on Friday. It should be fresher ground on the New course.

“It’s incredible to be going into a Gold Cup with two horses who have already won it.

“They arrived at the track on Monday so they’ve nicely settled in so we’ll just have to see how they get on now.”

A formidable Irish challenge also includes Emmet Mullins-trained Grand National hero Noble Yeats, Gordon Elliott’s Conflated and Shark Hanlon’s stable star Hewick, plus the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs and Stattler.

Noble Yeats winning the Grand National under the now-retired Sam Waley-Cohen
Noble Yeats winning the Grand National under the now-retired Sam Waley-Cohen (David Davies/PA)

Noble Yeats was a staying-on third in the Cotswold Chase on Cheltenham Trials day in January and owner Robert Waley-Cohen, who won the 2011 Gold Cup with Long Run, is optimistic of a bold showing.

He said: “We’re ready to rock and roll and we’re looking forward to it.

“We know he stays and the acceleration he showed when winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree earlier in the season was very good.

“The ground is what it is – whatever it is it won’t inconvenience him. I suppose if it’s softer it will inconvenience some others, but we’re not too worried about it.

“After seeing Honeysuckle win on Tuesday for Henry de Bromhead, the one we have to beat, in my opinion, is A Plus Tard. I know it will be almost his first run of the season, but the way he powered up the hill last year was so impressive.”

Conflated won last season’s Irish Gold Cup before falling in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Having won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown this term, Elliott feels he more than merits his place in the Gold Cup field.

“He is in good form. I think I went for the wrong race last year as all he does is gallop. We’re looking forward to running him in the Gold Cup,” said the Cullentra handler.

“I think he’ll love the trip. As a young horse he was a lunatic, but he’s settling better every year. He’s relaxed a lot more now and you can ride a race on him.

“I’ve only ever had one good enough to win a Gold Cup. Don Cossack was very good, but Conflated is a good horse.

“I think it’s an open Gold Cup and I think he’s got a chance. I think the trip will suit him, if I’m being honest – he looks made for it.”

Hewick has enjoyed a fairytale rise in the past year, winning the bet365 Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the American Grand National.

But Hanlon is praying conditions do not deteriorate too much ahead of the blue riband.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick on his gallops
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick on his gallops (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

He said: “The horse is in great shape. He arrived late on Wednesday night, we rode him out this (Thursday) morning and we’ll ride him out again tomorrow morning.

“He travelled very well and we couldn’t be happier with him, but we don’t want any more rain.

“We want to run the horse as there’s only one Gold Cup, but if the ground goes too soft we’ll have to think about it as Aintree (Grand National) is only four weeks away.”

The leading hope for the home team is Bravemansgame, who provided trainer Paul Nicholls with a 13th win in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and now looks to give him a fifth Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame (Adam Davy/PA)

“He had one or two issues last year and is twice the horse now, so much bigger and stronger and bounds up our hill gallop three times in the morning,” the Ditcheat handler told Betfair.

“He had a brilliant first half of the season, winning the King George in great style and the challenge has been to have him in the same form in the spring which hasn’t always been the case.

“It helps that he is much more mature now and he looks fabulous at the moment. The key is whether he stays three and quarter miles. Who knows? I didn’t know if Kauto Star would get the trip before he won his first Gold Cup and I’m not sure about Bravemansgame, but I suspect he will stay because he was keeping on strongly in the King George.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had him in better shape and Harry Cobden is very confident.”

The Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat was best of the British when third in last year’s Gold Cup and was thoroughly impressive in winning the Betfair Chase in the autumn.

He could finish only fourth when hot favourite for the Cotswold Chase on his latest outing, but Skelton is adamant he is in better shape now than he was then.

Scottish hopes are carried by Ahoy Senor, who bids to provide Lucinda Russell with a second win at this year’s Festival following Corach Rambler’s Ultima Handicap Chase success on Tuesday.

He bounced back from an underwhelming start to his season by winning the Cotswold Chase and Russell’s string could hardly be in better form.

Sounds Russian (Ruth Jefferson) was best of the rest in the Cotswold Chase and renews rivalry, with Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) and Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard) completing the line-up.

Envoi Allen flies high again in Ryanair Chase

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There was Cheltenham redemption for Envoi Allen who made a triumphant return to the Festival winner’s enclosure by winning the Ryanair Chase.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned nine-year-old is a winner of both the Champion Bumper (2019) and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2020), but suffered an agonising reversal when sent off favourite for the Prestbury Park hat-trick in 2021, unseating his rider early into the Turners Novices’ Chase.

He had to settle for a creditable third in last year’s Champion Chase but back to an intermediate trip for his latest trip to the four-day showpiece, Henry de Bromhead’s charge bounced back to his very best to leave a disappointing showing in the King George at Kempton well in the past.

A big smile from Rachael Blackmore
A big smile from Rachael Blackmore (Mike Egerton/PA)

Always travelling menacingly in the hands of Racheal Blackmore, fortune shone on the Irish raider who was almost down on his nose at the third-last – the same fence evens-money favourite Shishkin made a momentum-stopping blunder.

However, whereas Shishkin was immediately under pressure to hold his position, Envoi Allen was gathered up by Blackmore and soon in the perfect spot to pounce in the home straight.

Eager not to head for home prematurely, the button was pressed approaching the last and the 13-2 winner showed his engine still purrs loudly to stride out to a two-and-three-quarter-length success – with Shishkin bravely rallying for second in the closing stages ahead of Hitman in third.

De Bromhead said: “It’s great for the Thompsons (Cheveley Park Stud) as they are great supporters of ours and the industry. It’s just brilliant.

“I kept saying to Richard (Thompson) that he is as good as he was before he went to Kempton, I was so happy with him before the King George, we really fancied him, but like a few of ours who went to England in the first half of the season, he just never showed up. A Plus Tard (Betfair Chase) and Arctic Bresil (Ladbrokes Trophy) just never ran their races.

“Nothing came to light, A Plus Tard had obvious reasons but not the other two. They were all beaten after four fences. I thought it might have been water and various other bits but anyway we left no stone and whatever we did seems to be working again.

“I was really happy the whole race, but there was a chance he was doing too much. He was jumping so well. Rachael felt early on he might have been doing too much, but then he settled. He’s a class horse. Everyone was delighted with him and I was hoping he would put his best foot forward and he did.”

A Plus Tard defends his Gold Cup crown on Friday in the same colours, and De Bromhead added: “You’d have to be a little more confident after that, but they are all individuals.

“The amount of people, our friends and family who have travelled over, and Michael O’Leary and Ryanair naming the race (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) in honour of Jack (de Bromhead), makes this week very special.”

Blackmore said: “He travelled and jumped really well today. I thought early on he was in my hands for quite a while – it just took me a while to settle him – but then he switched off going past the stands and he was lovely then, he was lobbing away and I was able to fill him up three out.

“He put in a phenomenal performance, but I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone – he’s a supremely talented horse and it’s fantastic that Henry got the day out of him today.

Jubilation for Henry de Bromhead
Jubilation for Henry de Bromhead (Tim Goode/PA)

“Ryanair are so kind to name their mares’ novices’ hurdle after Jack (who tragically died in a pony racing accident), such a kind gesture by them, so it is great to be able to win their race today.

“I actually got a nice clear passage – I didn’t find problems anywhere.”

She went on: “He was so disappointing the last day – going to Kempton we were really happy with him, and he was equally as good coming here today, so we were hoping the last day, whatever was wrong, he just didn’t perform, but we’ve been really happy with him all season.

“It’s a great team effort down there in Knockeen and it’s been a tough year for everyone, but everyone in the yard is a properly good grafter and it’s great to be associated with them.

“A Plus Tard hasn’t had the greatest preparation coming into the Gold Cup, but he’s in great form and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Langer Dan delivers long-awaited Festival victory

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Langer Dan made it third time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival when holding on for a brave success in the Coral Cup.

The big meeting has been a cruel mistress for the Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old in the last two seasons, bumping into Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs in the 2021 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle before being brought down at the second flight when sent off favourite for the same race 12 months ago.

This year stable jockey Harry Skelton was given his chance aboard the 9-1 winner and despite having plenty to do when short of room two out, he was inspired in the saddle from the home turn.

Hitting the front halfway up the run-in, he drove his mount home with vigour to hold off An Epic Song (second) and Campround (third) in three-way tussle at the finish.

Harry Skelton celebrates aboard Langer Dan
Harry Skelton celebrates aboard Langer Dan (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Dan Skelton said: “He’s a great horse to train because he puts it all in when it matters.

“The best thing that happened is that they shut the door on him two out which meant battle was renewed, and he likes that because he had to get out of jail as if it was another race.

“What this horse has got is heart. He’s all heart and it’s part of him.

“He comes alive in the spring, but we’ve got more chances to come. Compared to Wille Mullins we’re in the foothills, but we strive to get better and our team is stacked with talent.”

There was a first Festival winner for Darragh O’Keeffe as he steered Henry de Bromhead’s Maskada to victory in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual.

Maskada ridden by jockey Darragh O’Keeffe on their way to winning the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival
Maskada ridden by jockey Darragh O’Keeffe on their way to winning the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

Jumping the final fence alongside defending champion Global Citizen and Dinoblue, the 22-1 shot took advantage of a jolting error from 7-2 favourite Dinoblue to scorch to a six-and-a-half-length victory.

De Bromhead said: “She was really good, we’re delighted with her. Darragh gave her a super ride so I’m delighted for him, it’s his first winner here, that’s brilliant.

“I’m delighted for the Marigas (owners) they are great supporters of ours and we had a nice winner for them on Saturday and here today.

“We bought her last season, just before Punchestown, and she had a nice run there. They have some very good broodmares and she looked ideal to add to the band. She had good form in the UK, I don’t think we’ve done a lot with her.

“She had form over further and in soft ground so we are delighted.”

Honeysuckle brings the house down with emotional victory

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There were joyous scenes on day one of the Cheltenham Festival when Honeysuckle brought the curtain down on her phenomenal career with an emotional victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

The sparkle of Henry de Bromhead’s superstar had seemingly been on the wane this term and the decision was made to return the dual Champion Hurdle heroine to the race she first announced herself in at the Festival for her swansong.

And the nine-year-old did not let her adoring public down by showing all the qualities that have made her one of the most loved and admired mares of the modern era.

Sent off the 9-4 joint-favourite, ever-loyal jockey Rachael Blackmore had Honeysuckle positioned in second throughout tracking the front-running Love Envoi and although the pack swarmed as the field made their way down the hill, the order remained the same until after the last.

With Love Envoi refusing to lie down, the brave mare Honeysuckle responded to every urging of her rider to gallop up the Cheltenham hill one more time, going to the bottom of the well and digging deep to edge her way to a titanic one-and-a-half-length triumph.

The win gave her a fourth at the Festival and she signs off as one of the all-time greats having won 17 of her 19 career starts.

The reception afterwards reflected not only the performance of Honeysuckle but the genuine affection for De Bromhead and his family, who lost son Jack in a tragic pony racing accident in September.

De Bromhead said: “It’s the fairytale ending that never normally happens. It’s incredible.

Henry de Bromhead celebrates Honeysuckle's latest Cheltenham success
Henry de Bromhead celebrates Honeysuckle’s latest Cheltenham success (Tim Goode/PA)

“I’m so happy for the mare and Rachael and Kenny (Alexander, owner) and all of us. This (reception) is what she deserves. She’s such an unbelievable mare. I’m blown away.

“We’ve had a terrible year with Jack and everything. It’s been an incredibly tough time and we’re really grateful for the support everyone has given us.

“You dream that these kind of things will happen, but more often than not they don’t. It’s the result everybody wanted, but you’d daren’t believe that it will happen.”

The County Waterford trainer felt justified in allowing Honeysuckle to bow out against her own sex following Constitution Hill’s breathtaking display in the Champion Hurdle earlier in the afternoon.

He added: “She’s been in great form all year and thankfully we picked the right race when you see the other lad in the Champion Hurdle!

“I was a bit worried jumping the last – I thought Love Envoi was gone on us. But Honeysuckle rarely knows when she’s beaten and she read the script.”

When asked if Honeysuckle’s racing career was definitely over, De Bromhead quipped: “I presume it is, but there is the Mares Champion Hurdle in Punchestown!

“I’ll get a few drinks into Kenny later, Peter Molony (racing manager) will be in one ear saying ‘Walk In The Park’ and I’ll be in the other saying ‘walk to Punchestown!’.”

Alexander, though, definitively confirmed his remarkable mare will be retired as he reflected on his “best ever day in racing”.

Kenny Alexander flanked by Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead on the winner's rostrum
Kenny Alexander flanked by Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead on the winner’s rostrum (Tim Goode/PA)

“It’s staggering really. It’s great for Henry and his family to get that victory under their belt,” said the Scotsman.

“I came here more in hope than anything, but I did back her. She went to 4-1 last night, which was outrageous.

“I’ve never said she’s the greatest ever hurdler, she undoubtedly isn’t. In fact, the one before (Constitution Hill) might turn out to be, but she’s got to be one of the bravest and one of the most loved. The people here love her and the people in Ireland adore her.

“I said after Leopardstown she’s not going to win a Champion Hurdle, but if she’s still running to a level of form where she can win a Mares’, let’s go for it – and if she loses, so what?

“This is a proper send-off. I don’t want to go to Punchestown. It would be nice to do it in front of the Irish people and if they want to take her there to show her off, I’m more than happy to do that, but I don’t want to run her and go to the well once too often.

“She’s going out on a high now – nothing can match it really. Let her enjoy her retirement.

“One million per cent this is my best ever day in racing.”

Grange Walk bags Gowran feature and tees up Aintree trip

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Grange Walk teed himself up for a trip to Aintree next month with a clear-cut victory in the Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

John Ryan’s charge was not done with when falling two fences from home at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in the race won by Final Orders and was fitted with blinkers for this €45,000 feature.

Ridden by 5lb claimer Liam Quinlan, Grange Walk proved two and a quarter lengths too strong for runner-up Minx Tiara, with Shakeytry best of the rest in third.

“I thought he was the only horse in the field capable of winning a Grade Two and the rest were handicappers. He’s a bit more than a handicapper,” said Ryan.

“He’s been a bit of an unlucky sort. Liam gave him a tip-top ride – he’s a brave lad over a fence.

“He’ll go to Aintree, the owner wants to go there. He’ll go to a two-mile handicap.

“He’s a proper two-mile chaser and the blinkers probably helped a bit.”

David Christie has stated all along that he feels Ferns Lock is booked for the top and he did nothing to alter his trainer’s thoughts when winning the INHSC Supporting Point-To-Points Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase as a 1-4 favourite should.

Just a six-year-old, Christie felt Cheltenham would come too soon for him this year, and in any case, the trainer plans on fielding last year’s narrow runner-up Winged Leader and ante-post favourite Vaucelet for that event.

Ridden by Barry O’Neill he was soon in a clear advantage and was never off the bridle in the beating Lough Derg Spirit by three and a half lengths.

Winning connections with Ferns Lock
Winning connections with Ferns Lock (Gary Carson/PA)

“At one or two on the far side he was having a look, he went to shorten and I think he actually stood on himself. I see he pulled a shoe,” said O’Neill.

“On that ground he’s travelling away and he wants to get on with it a bit and you only want to be popping away.

“I’ve no doubt in a better race, going a better gallop, maybe you could take a lead and he’ll be 100 percent.

“To be honest he’s so far ahead of everything at the moment you are restricting him a little bit by sitting against him. I’ve no doubt going forward that he’ll be fine.

“He seems to have everything. Everyone was talking about Cheltenham this year but myself and Dave had a good chat earlier in the year and it was just coming a year too soon.

“He’s still only learning, that’s only his sixth run. Next year with a good hunter chase campaign under his belt he’ll be a force to be reckoned with, I think.”

Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford teamed up to win division one of the Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle with 11-2 chance Abbeydale, while division two went the way of Ellmarie Holden’s 28-1 shot Karuma Grey, with 7lb claimer Diarmuid Moloney doing the steering.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Lantry Lady dominated her rivals in the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Mares Maiden Hurdle – pulling 14 lengths clear in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were among the winners
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were among the winners (PA)

De Bromhead and Blackmore doubled up with odds-on favourite Ain’t That A Shame in the Holden Fleet Management Beginners Chase.

Although winless in six previous starts over fences, the nine-year-old has finished second on three occasions including a head defeat in the Munster National at Limerick in October.

Making his first appearance since finishing fourth in Leopardstown’s Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, the 8-13 shot made no mistake, coming home with six lengths in hand over Macs Charm.

Blackmore said: “He deserved to win that race. It was a good performance and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He handles those conditions and it was a perfect race for him. It’s nice to get him off the mark over fences.”

Willie and Patrick Mullins took the closing bumper with £220,000 purchase Tullyhill (4-6 favourite) in the Cheveley Park Stud colours.

“He’s a real decent horse and a horse that I’ve been trying to get out all spring,” said Mullins.

“I was hoping to qualify him for Cheltenham but he just wasn’t right and we waited.

“I think he’s championship class. We’ll look for a winners’ bumper, whether we wait for Punchestown or go for one before that.

“He’s from the top drawer and is another nice horse for Cheveley Park, I think.”

Monty’s Star shines in one-two for De Bromhead in Clonmel feature

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Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a one-two in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel, as Monty’s Star booked his Cheltenham ticket in claiming a first career victory ahead of better-fancied stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake.

Monty’s Star had finished second in a Navan maiden on his jumping debut last month, subsequently coming into the Clonmel Grade Three as a 7-1 chance under Sean Flanagan with Hiddenvalley Lake the 8-13 favourite.

Under Rachael Blackmore Hiddenvalley Lake led at a canter as Monty’s Star stayed in his slipstream until the field turned for home.

The pair then locked horns over the final two flights, with Monty’s Star winning the battle to discard his maiden tag in prevailing by half a length on the line, giving Flanagan a second winner back since his return from a back injury suffered in a heavy fall at Thurles in October.

“I’m delighted with that and Sean gave him a great ride. He has taken a long time, he is a big, big horse and ran really well in his maiden hurdle at Navan when he was a bit green,” De Bromhead said.

“He had done a season with Colin Bowe (point-to-point handler), but is so big and raw. He has just taken all this time, it is amazing, so you’d hope he will continue to improve and he has the size and scope of a chaser. He has the pedigree as well (a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Monalee, in the same Barry Maloney colours).

“We tried this race in the past with (Minella) Indo and Monalee so we said we’d give it a go to see would he stay and he duly did. He is in the Albert Bartlett and that’s where we’re going now.”

Of his other runner he added: “I think Hiddenvalley Lake ran well but struggled on the ground, which is tough, and he’ll be better for better ground. He was also giving away weight.

“He is also in the Albert Bartlett and is entitled to go, but we’ll see what everyone wants to do. Indo was beaten by Allaho in this race a few years ago so it is a good race.”