Honeysuckle’s last race to be in Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenhan – despite connections said she wouldn’t run there
HONEYSUCKLE will have the chance of ‘one last hurrah’ when she runs in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival.
Connections have ruled that is where she will have her final race – one month after saying they had ruled it out.
Owner Kenny Alexander’s racing manager Peter Molony said just last month it was looking like the Champion Hurdle or retirement for the wondermare.
Molony told Racing TV on January 8: “It will be Champion Hurdle or retire her.”
But barely two days after her Irish Champion Hurdle defeat, Molony tweeted on Tuesday morning that it was full steam ahead for the Mares.
He posted: “One last hurrah for Honeysuckle!
“Barring accidents, injury, illness or extremes of ground she will be prepared for another tilt at The Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Gd @CheltenhamRaces on Tuesday 14th of March.”
Bookies quickly reacted by slashing her price for the race to 2-1 favourite ahead of 7-2 Marie’s Rock.
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In what looks to be an absolutely barnstorming contest over 2m4f, that pair will do battle with 4-1 Brandy Love and Love Envoi.
While Echoes In Rain and Epatante are currently 5-1 and Telmesomethinggirl 10-1.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “Connections are giving their star every chance to end her career on a winning note at Prestbury Park next month, with Honeysuckle favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle, as opposed to being a 14-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle.”
Defeat to State Man in the Irish equivalent meant connections saw no chance in taking on that horse again and Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
Honeysuckle won the feature hurdle race two years running from 2021 under Rachael Blackmore as part of an amazing 16-race winning streak.
She won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2020, seeing off Benie Des Dieux.
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