Jordan Norris reports
Thousands flocked to Leopardstown for a glimpse of the queen, but she was forced to hand over her crown in a changing of the guard moment in Irish racing.
To quote Ted Walsh, this is Leopardstown, not Lourdes, we don’t do miracles here.
Honeysuckle went off at 11/8, but could do little to defy the Willie Mullins-trained State Man, who exemplified his Champion Hurdle credentials with a bold statement in this Irish equivalent.
The roar of the crowd as Honeysuckle passed the stands was a sight to behold in itself, with the mare positioned on the tail of State Man throughout. The 16-time winner put in a fine display, despite pecking at the third last, but couldn’t find the engine to reel in State Man, who was as impressive a victor as any of Mullins’ previous winners.
The question now lies as to whether this was the last time we will ever see Honeysuckle in competitive action, and trainer Henry de Bromhead was gracious in defeat.
“She’s brilliant. She’s been amazing for us. It was a super run”, said de Bromhead. “The winner ran well but we’re delighted with her. She’s back safe and sound and that’s all good. The peck probably didn’t help but even after that we were going well. Coming around to the second last, Paul [Townend] was going ominously better. I thought we were struggling, but with her you never know. It just wasn’t to be today.”
Any talk of retirement is not being entertained as of yet, with the matter set for discussion with owner Kenny Alexander in the coming days.
“It’s not for me to decide”, said the trainer. “We think the mare is still second in an Irish Champion Hurdle, in great form at home. She’s showing us no signs of anything. This is her last season so it is something we will all discuss, but it’s ultimately up to Kenny.”
De Bromhead confirmed that if he was to keep the mare in running, she will not be facing off against Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill.
“I wouldn’t be going for the Champion Hurdle. Oh God, no. It would be the Mares. We’ll just get through today.”
Owner Kenny Alexander confirmed the same to Racing TV.
“I’d love to go with her again but I’ll leave it to Henry and Rachael if they want to call it a day. She’s definitely not going to the Champion Hurdle now. I don’t think she could win it now. If she had won today, she was going for sure. We wouldn’t go over and fanny around for place money. We’d go there to win. We threw everything at it. I’d dread anything to happen her. If Henry and Rachael want to, we’ll go for the Mares - if they want to retire her, we’ll retire her.”
