Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead has confirmed that wonder-mare Honeysuckle will have one more season in training, with a third Champion Hurdle in her sights.
Honeysuckle joined Bob Olinger and A Plus Tard in victory for the Knockeen handler at the Cheltenham Festival, becoming the first mare to retain the famed crown.
Ridden to a fifteenth consecutive win by the irrepressible Rachael Blackmore, the mare hit the front two out from the finish and coasted up the straight to see off the Nicky Henderson trained Epatante by three and a half lengths.
An interesting proposition has been mooted in recent days, with the owner of Supreme Novices Hurdle winner, Constitution Hill, who bulldozed home with 22 lengths to spare - teasing that his next target would be to take on Honeysuckle in the 2023 Champion Hurdle.
Michael Buckley, who owns Nicky Henderson's novice star, has openly stated his intentions with a horse seen by many as the star of the future following his commanding display in the Cheltenham Festival opener.
"Around Aintree time we'll see how he is and decide whether we want to do something normal or something crazy. If the horse is absolutely bouncing and dumps his work-rider a couple of times then we'll think about taking on Honeysuckle. I guess it's a bold thing to do, but it's nice for living, isn't it?"
In just his third run, Constitution Hill dusted his stablemate Jonbon in a display lauded by many as the most impressive of the four-day festival.
"Here's a horse who is favourite for the Champion Hurdle and the Arkle. He's had just three races and is only five, so it would make sense for him to stay hurdling for another year and get more experience."
'Please respect our lady'
Peter Moloney, racing manager to Honeysuckle's owner Kenny Alexander, confirmed her bid to join the like of Istabraq on three Champion Hurdle crowns at yesterday's homecoming event for De Bromhead's stable stars at Knockeen.
"To get any horse to the races fit and well 15 times and never be beaten is a mind-blowing achievement. And with a mare it's that much more difficult. The whole thing is remarkable. We've spoken about it in the last few days and I think the plan is for her to have one more season. Hopefully she'll get the chance to return to Cheltenham again for the Champion Hurdle."
De Bromhead himself noted that Honeysuckle's retention of Champion Hurdle was the moment that provided him with more 'relief' than any other occasion on a racecourse.
He says that while Constitution Hill's victory was 'hugely impressive', Honeysuckle still sets the standard when it comes to the two-mile hurdling division.
"Whatever about sheer ability, which she has, she is a freak in my opinion. But also in terms of soundness; she turns up every time we want her. There are a lot of things that make a great horse, and I'm amazed some people even question her ability. Talking about times, Honeysuckle is better off a faster pace. They probably went too slow for her in the Champion Hurdle. If they'd gone quicker it would have suited her even more. I'm not in any way knocking Constitution Hill, he was hugely impressive, but please respect our lady. What she has achieved is incredible. If you want to use the term 'freak' with Constitution Hill, that's fine on what he did the other day – absolutely – but she's the freak."
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