Return of the queen: get Henry de Bromhead's thoughts on Honeysuckle

Sunday: 2.40 Fairyhouse
Baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

She has never been beaten, so what makes you think she might come unstuck here? It couldn't possibly be an unlucky 13th run for the mighty Honeysuckle, could it?

Those wanting to take her on will probably point to her facing the 162-rated Saldier, who is race-fit having won both his starts already this season, including the Galway Hurdle off top weight. But can he give 7lb to the best mare in training?

Trying to pick holes in Honeysuckle is a bit like trying to pick holes in Steffi Graf when she was in her pomp – a futile experience. Deep down you know another ace is on its way.

Furthermore, the queen returns to the palace where she has ruled for half her career victories. Six of Honeysuckle's 12 wins have been at Fairyhouse and her success in last year's race was the stepping stone for a stunning season which saw her beat the boys in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and follow up in the Punchestown equivalent six weeks later.

She begins the current campaign on a mark of 165, 6lb higher than this time last year, and is 13-8 with Paddy Power to defend her Champion Hurdle crown in March. Indeed, she is only 5-4 with the sponsors Unibet.

So, then, how do her reappearances each season compare with the rest of her runs? Last year she posted an RPR of just 152 in this race when she was all out to hold the late surge of Ronald Pump.

However, in November 2019 she posted an RPR of 155 – a career-best by 11lb at the time – when she won a conditions hurdle at this track less than three weeks before winning her first Hatton's Grace by nine lengths from Bacardys (RPR 160).

This has been her early-season aim since her team decided to stick to hurdles and Henry de Bromhead is sure to have her ready to do herself justice.

She is still only seven and the scary thought for rival connections is that she could be getting better. She is impossible to oppose.

Perhaps the strong-travelling Abacadabras will turn out to be Honeysuckle's biggest danger.

He won the Morgiana at Punchestown last season and saw out every yard of the 2m4f trip when swatting aside Buzz in the Aintree Hurdle on his sole try over the distance. It is not hard to envisage him tanking into the home straight, but has he the resolve to get by Honeysuckle?

A repeat of Ronald Pump's effort in the race last year brings him into the mix but you have to wonder whether Honeysuckle was really at her best there. Matthew Smith has called for blinkers now.

Paul Nolan's decision to return to hurdles with Latest Exhibition is an intriguing move and his form with Monkfish, both over hurdles and fences, is not to be sniffed at.

Stormy Ireland, Sire Du Berlais and Sams Profile all have bits and pieces of form which catch the eye but, even at their very best, none of them should trouble Honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle in 'great form'

The Honeysuckle team has resisted the temptation of going chasing and that gives her the opportunity to emulate Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple's Jade, all three-time winners of the Hatton's Grace.

Honeysuckle: sprinted away with the Champion Hurdle in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Henry de Bromhead reports his superstar to be in tip-top shape ahead of her return to action, saying: "We've given her plenty of work and she seems really well. She's in great form, so, fingers crossed, she will put her best foot forward. She has a long season ahead of her hopefully.

"We're aiming towards the Champion Hurdle again, we've committed to that already, and it will be the same format as last year. If you wanted to maintain her unbeaten record you might go for slightly lesser races, but competing in the big races is what it's all about.

"We've been very fortunate that she's won them all thus far, but her season is four Grade 1s and we'll see how she gets on."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Abacadabras
We probably never thought in the early days that Abacadabras was a two-and-a-half-miler but he loved it at Aintree. He really enjoyed himself there and it seemed to suit him. He got into a lovely rhythm. We all know how good Honeysuckle is and she's going to be very hard to beat, but I've been very happy with Abacadabras over the last few weeks and we're looking forward to the race.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Darasso
He's in good form and has been running consistently well this year. Hopefully, he'll be able to sneak a bit of prize-money in what looks a very hot race.

Bryan Cooper, rider of Latest Exhibition
He had a good season last year, it was just unfortunate he ran into Monkfish. He could have been a dual Grade 1 novice over fences as well. He had a little procedure done at the backend of the year; there were a few niggly little things. I schooled him over hurdles last week and he was extremely quick and slick, which is what you need.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Saldier and Stormy Ireland
Patrick [Mullins] elected to ride Saldier. He’s been running on the Flat and over hurdles, so comes into this with the advantage of race fitness. It will be hard to present a problem to Honeysuckle but on the given day he might have the ability to do that. He’s looked like he’s needed a trip as he gets older, so we’re running over further this year. Danny [Mullins] has got on really well with Stormy Ireland in the past and she really likes this track. I’m sure she will give a very good account of herself.

Read more Fairyhouse previews:

1.05 Fairyhouse: 'We were very impressed with him' - will My Mate Mozzie be the punters' pal?

1.35 Fairyhouse: 'He'll come on a hell of a lot for that run' - who is expecting a big display?

3.10 Fairyhouse: 'He comes in on a nice weight' - Willie Mullins has five for valuable handicap

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