Dublin Racing Festival: Confirmations revealed for major races

Honeysuckle will face a maximum of five rivals in her bid for a third victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Henry de Bromhead's brilliant mare will be a hot favourite to complete the hat-trick on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival and extend her overall unbeaten record to 14 in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

Honeysuckle’s biggest threat could be the Willie Mullins-trained Appreciate It, who has not been seen since his 24-length success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old was due to pursue a career over fences this term, but an injury suffered before Christmas prompted a change of plan.

Mullins has also confirmed Saint Roi and Echoes In Rain, who finished third and fourth respectively behind stablemate Sharjah, who has been taken out of this weekend’s contest, in Leopardstown’s Matheson Hurdle in December.

Gordon Elliott’s Matheson Hurdle runner-up Zanahiyr and and Paul Hennessy’s stable star Heaven Help Us complete the potential field.

The Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs will be expected to play a starring role in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase, following his scintillating chasing debut at the track over the festive period.

He could face Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge and Elliott’s Fury Road, among others.

Chacun Pour Soi will bid to bounce back from Tingle Creek disappointment by bagging a third win in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Among his seven possible opponents are two British raiders in the Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen and Sky Pirate from Jonjo O’Neill’s yard.

Likely contenders for the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle include Sir Gerhard, one of five Mullins-trained entries, and Elliott’s Mighty Potter.

Kemboy (11-4) triumphs in the