Honeysuckle heads to Fairyhouse for Hatton's Grace

A week on from Constitution Hill's blistering display at Newcastle, Honeysuckle bids to prove she will not let go of her Champion Hurdle crown lightly by securing a record fourth victory in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse this weekend.

Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill is odds-on to take Honeysuckle’s crown at Cheltenham in March following his Fighting Fifth romp last Saturday – despite the fact Honeysuckle is already a dual Champion Hurdle winner and yet to meet with defeat in 16 outings.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old is tied with Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple’s Jade as a three-time Hatton’s Grace winner and on Sunday gets the chance to go out on her own under her regular partner Rachael Blackmore.

Peter Molony, racing manager to Honeysuckle’s owner Kenny Alexander, fully respects Constitution Hill’s obvious talent, but feels anyone who writes off the great mare does so at their peril.

"Constitution Hill was incredibly impressive last week, but to be honest it was no more than I expected – we all know he’s a very good horse," he said.

"We’ve just got to do our own thing, head down and please God we get to March in one piece. If Constitution Hill is there, he’s there, and if he’s not, he’s not – I hope he is.

"We don’t know how good Honeysuckle is because she only ever does just enough to win her races and we don’t really know what’s under the bonnet.

"Constitution Hill could be a superstar, but Honeysuckle might still be good enough to beat him.

"She wears the crown, so let’s see what happens."

Honeysuckle was brilliant in winning the Hatton’s Grace in 2019 and 2021, with a rather more laboured success over Ronald Pump sandwiched in between.

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