Hurdles or fences? Connections confirm plans for star mare Honeysuckle

Connections of exceptional mare Honeysuckle have resisted the temptation to send their Cheltenham Festival winner over fences this coming season, opting to keep the unbeaten star over hurdles for what could be another hugely exciting campaign.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old, who was last seen extracting the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle crown from Benie Des Dieux after a stirring duel, is set to return to the Knockeen handler's base this week, having apparently thrived for her summer break.

A former point-to-point winner, the Kenny Alexander-owned wondermare has given the impression she will be a very effective chaser when asked to tackle that discipline, but connections are content to keep her over hurdles for the 2020-21 season, with a host of top-level contests on her radar.