'They have her to beat' - De Bromhead relishing Honeysuckle taking on new kids on the block
Honeysuckle suffered the first defeat of her stellar career on her reappearance but Henry de Bromhead is relishing the prospect of Sunday's showdown with new kids on the block State Man and Vauban in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.
The exceptional mare would emulate Istabraq should she secure a fourth successive victory under Rachael Blackmore in the €200,000 feature on day two of Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival. Following her third behind Teahupoo and Klassical Dream in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, she will be going into a race with something other than a win beside her name for the first time, but De Bromhead says preparations have gone to plan for the Kenny Alexander-owned nine-year-old.
"She seems in great form and we're happy with her and all things are good," the County Waterford trainer said on Wednesday. "It was a very good first run of the season at Fairyhouse and we've been really happy with her since."
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