Confirmed runners and riders for the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse

Honeysuckle will face seven opponents when she bids to eclipse Limestone Lad, Apple’s Jade and Solerina to become the first four-time winner of the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (2.30) at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Henry de Bromhead’s star mare will make her seasonal reappearance seeking a 17th consecutive win on the first step to a potential third Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The eight-year-old and Rachael Blackmore have won seven times at Fairyhouse, including the last three runnings of this Grade 1, and will face competition from six-time Grade 1 winner Klassical Dream.

The Willie Mullins-trained Klassical Dream will face Honeysuckle for the first time and will be the 23rd horse Mullins has run against the two-time Champion Hurdle heroine.

Echoes In Rain, a three-length second to Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April, has also been declared. Saldier completes the Mullins team.

Gavin Cromwell’s Darver Star, one of only three horses to finish within a half length of the mare alongside Benie Des Dieux and Ronald Pump in 2020, arrives seeking a four-timer following recent successes at Punchestown, Galway and Kilbeggan.

Two-time Grade 2 winner Ashdale Bob, trained by Jessica Harrington, will also take on Honeysuckle for the first time.

The field is completed by the Gordon Elliott duo of Teahupoo, who will be partnered by Jack Kennedy, and Sire Du Berlais, who will be ridden by Davy Russell.

Mullins is responsible for half of the eight runners in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (1.25), with the unbeaten Champ Kiely heading a team which also includes Grade 2 winner Ashroe Diamond and recent Grade 3 scorer Hercule Du Seuil. The hat-trick-seeking Polo Lounge completes the quartet.

Champ Kiely: runs in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

No trainer has won the race other than Mullins or Gordon Elliott since Philip Fenton scored with the Tullow Tank in 2013, and Elliott is represented by Irish Point, who won comfortably on his debut in a Cork maiden hurdle.

Gavin Cromwell runs the unbeaten Path D’Oroux, while Barry Connell is responsible for unbeaten second favourite Marine Nationale. The Joseph O’Brien-trained Prairie Dancer completes the line-up.

Gordon Ellliott’s duo Three Stripe Life and Mighty Potter head the field in the Drinmore Novice Chase (1.55) where they are set to come up against Banbridge, who is unbeaten in two starts over fences this season.

Owner JP McManus is doubly represented with Noel Meade’s Thedevilscoachman seeking a hat-trick. Ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase, Gaillard Du Mesnil, heads a five-strong team for Willie Mullins which also includes Adamantly Chosen, Authorized Art, El Barra and Shadow Rider.

Barry Connell’s Grade 3 winner Enniskerry will also seek a third consecutive win on his first foray at Grade 1 level.

Paul Townend rides Zarak The Brave, while Danny Mullins partners stablemate Lossiemouth in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle (12.25) with unbeaten Risk Belle and Joseph O’Brien’s Comfort Zone also among a field of 11.

Irish Grand National winner Lord Lariat runs for Dermot McLoughlin in the Porterstown Handicap Steeplechase (12.55), while the favourite for the Champion Bumper, Chapeau Du Soleil, makes his rules debut for Willie Mullins in the finale (3.35).

The ground at the County Meath track is set to be yielding to soft in places on both the hurdles and chase tracks.

Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle runners and riders

Ashdale BobSean O'Keefee
Darver StarKeith O'Donoghue
Klassical DreamTBC
SaldierTBC
Sire Du BerlaisDavy Russell
Teahupoo Jack Kennedy
Echoes In RainTBC
HoneysuckleRachael Blackmore

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