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The connection of Honeysuckle has effectively ruled out a tilt in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, stating that he will either bid for a third Champion Hurdle victory or retire.
Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare beat Benie Des Dieux in the Mares’ Hurdle epic in 2020 and has since returned to the Cotswolds to see the foals in the Champion Hurdle in each of the past two seasons.
Having suffered his first defeat in 17 races when bidding for a record fourth Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, there were suggestions Honeysuckle could return against his own kind at Prestbury Park this term, instead of taking on Champion Hurdle favorite Constitution. hill
Honeysuckle clears last in the Champion Hurdle ahead of Epatante
But Kenny Alexander’s owner racing manager Peter Molony announced on Sunday that was not the case, with the decision on whether he will enter the Champion Hurdle or retire to broodmare duty depending on how he performs in his bid for a fourth Irish Champion Hurdle. success in Leopardstown next month.
“Henry seems to like him, touch wood, we’ll see at Leopardstown in four weeks,” Molony told Racing TV.
“Of course I watched him (Constitution Hill win the Christmas Stakes at Kempton). He’s a really good horse and it’s going to be a really good performance to beat him.
“Honeysuckle has been a wonderful servant to us and owes us nothing. We all love her and just want to marry her as one.”
“Kenny said last year, before he was beaten, that if he didn’t run to what he thought was his optimum, he would retire and that’s the story.
“It will be Champion Hurdle or his retirement – one or the other.”
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