De Bromhead wary of step up in class as unbeaten Honeysuckle faces toughest test

3.10 Leopardstown
PCI Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Henry de Bromhead is just like the rest of us and cannot wait to find out more about Honeysuckle.

She is six from six under rules, and was an impressive winner of her only point-to-point too, but such is the ease with which she has won all of her starts that we have absolutely no idea how good she might be. Her trainer does not even know.

De Bromhead said: "Honeysuckle has been very good. This is a big step up for her and we're obviously coming back half a mile with her, so it's going to tell us a lot. It should be a very informative race."

It will indeed be an informative race and there is sure to be a shake-up in the betting for the Unibet Champion Hurdle no matter what the outcome.

Honeysuckle has been shortened all the way into 6-1 with most firms, and is just 7-2 with bet365 who are non-runner no bet.

The target all season has been the Mares' Hurdle, a race she was favourite for at one stage only for Benie Des Dieux to usurp her after winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last week, but victory here could see those plans change.

Petit Mouchoir, the 2017 winner, is also in the line-up for De Bromhead and the nine-year-old has bounced back to form this season by finishing runner-up to Saldier in the Morgiana at Punchestown and Sharjah in the Matheson Hurdle.

The trainer said: "He's a previous winner of the race, is in great form and ran great at Christmas. We're hoping for a good run from him too."

While Honeysuckle has never raced at Leopardstown, Sharjah has made the place his home and arrives on the back of an impressive victory over Petit Mouchoir in the Matheson Hurdle over course and distance. Patrick Mullins keeps the ride, with the pair seeking a fourth victory together.

Key stat

Only three mares have won the Irish Champion Hurdle – Dawn Run (1984), Like-A-Butterfly (2003) and Apple's Jade (2019).

What they say

Lizzie Kelly, rider of Monsieur Lecoq
It will be my first ride at Leopardstown and I'm really looking forward to it. We thought it was going to be a hot race and we've got what we expected. I'd be thrilled if he finished in the first three.

Patrick Mullins, rider of Sharjah
He probably has to improve from Christmas in order to give Honeysuckle the 7lb allowance. Having said that, she has to prove she is at her best at this trip and track, whereas we know Sharjah is. It should be a fascinating race.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Supasundae
He's in great form but I would imagine he might need the run a little bit. The aim at Cheltenham is the Champion Hurdle this year. We've been to the Stayers twice and been beaten twice and he's won Grade 1s over two miles, so why not have a go.

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