Willie Mullins says Honeysuckle is 'a huge price' for Constitution Hill showdown

Willie Mullins has weighed in with his say on the most deeply anticipated clash of the jumps season, expressing his belief that Honeysuckle is a "huge price" to retain her Champion Hurdle crown against rising star Constitution Hill.

Bookmakers have priced up last season's breathtaking Supreme Novices' Hurdle scorer between 5-4 and 11-8 to dethrone Honeysuckle in the Unibet-backed contest, while the reigning champion is widely available to back between 3-1 and 4-1.

Mullins knows what it takes to win the season's premier two-mile hurdling prize, having won the Champion Hurdle on four occasions with Hurricane Fly (twice), Faugheen and Annie Power.

He believes it is up to last season's high-flying novice to match the standard set by Kenny Alexander's unbeaten dual champion hurdler, as opposed to the picture painted by the market.

Mullins said: "They both look a bit special but I think Constitution Hill has got to jump up to her grade yet. He looks special but Honeysuckle is going to be the one that I'm taking aim at anyway.

Honeysuckle: unstoppable in the 2022 Unibet Champion Hurdle under Rachael BlackmoreCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I thought she was a great price the other day when I looked at the television and saw she was around 7-2. I took a picture and showed it to Ruby [Walsh] and David Casey and asked them if something was wrong.

"We have a few down the bottom of that [ante-post] list who we hope could get in there yet, but she looks a huge price at this stage of the year."

Mullins added: "Maybe Constitution Hill has wings and I'll gladly celebrate with owner Michael Buckley if he wins – even if he beats me. I wish them the best of luck this season."

The Closutton maestro is currently firming up plans for his two-mile hurdling squad but is responsible for some of the biggest dangers to the top two in the market.

Triumph Hurdle scorer Vauban, a three-time winner in Grade 1 company, is being trained for a tilt at the Champion Hurdle, while decisions have yet to be made around whether Ballymore Novices' Hurdle hero Sir Gerhard and County Hurdle winner State Man will be sent novice chasing.

Vauban: rattled off a Grade 1 hat-trick on his last three starts of the 2021-22 campaignCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

On general 7-1 shot Vauban, Mullins said: "We could see him at Naas in the Fishery Lane Hurdle but he'll also get an entry for the Morgiana. It's always tough coming into the senior hurdling ranks to start off in a race like the Morgiana, but if we think he's a Champion Hurdle horse then maybe that's where we should go."

Sir Gerhard is quoted between 10-1 and 20-1 for the Champion Hurdle and tops the Turners Novices' Chase market at a best price of 11-2. State Man is no bigger than 10-1 for the Champion Hurdle and 16-1 for the Arkle.

Mullins said: "I had State Man and Sir Gerhard pencilled in as novice chasers at the start of the season, but as we near our kick-off point I'm beginning to question whether we should look at the Champion Hurdle for them.

"I was a little disappointed with some of Sir Gerhard's runs over hurdles where he missed out hurdles. The more I look at the hurdles picture the more I'm tempted to stay hurdling, but I've got to have a chat with his owners."

He added: "State Man is fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle and it's easier to keep him sound for that. His family tend to improve with age. We'll have to speak with connections."

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 14, 2023)

Unibet: 11-8 Constitution Hill, 3 Honeysuckle, 7 Vauban, 9 State Man, 16 Pied Piper, 20 Sir Gerhard, 25 Epatante, Mighty Potter, 33 bar

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