Magnificent seven for Honeysuckle as unbeaten mare lands Irish Champion

Honeysuckle stretched her unbeaten run to seven when landing the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, but had to be game to deny Darver Star an upset result.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore – who were completing a Grade 1 double on the card after winning the ERSG Arkle Novice Chase with Notebook – 8-11 favourite Honeysuckle looked set for a commanding victory after quickening away from Petit Mouchoir, but did not jump the last cleanly.

That allowed her rival and stablemate to regain the advantage, but the mare, who races for gambling giant GVC's supremo Kenny Alexander, picked up again, only for 20-1 chance Darver Star to rally and threaten to spoil the party.

She held on, however, and Betfair made her 5-1 (from 6) for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Paddy Power went (9-2 from 6).

Sharjah, the 2-1 second favourite, was sixth, behind Supasundae and Aramon.

A daughter of Sulamani, Honeysuckle emerged as a smart novice hurdler last season, winning four times, including a Grade 1 for mares at Fairyhouse.

She returned to that venue to win easily in November and also impressed with her success in the track's Hatton's Grace Hurdle, although those victories were over 2m4f.

Dropping back to 2m and trying a left-handed circuit for the first time under rules, she had a few things to prove, but moved stylishly through the prestigious event – the €200,000 centrepiece on the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival.

It was a first win in the race for Blackmore, but a second for De Bromhead after Petit Mouchoir struck in 2017.

Despite her handy position in the Champion Hurdle market, Honeysuckle also has the option of the Grade 1 contest for mares at Cheltenham in March.

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