Honeysuckle proves a class apart in Irish Champion Hurdle triumph

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore extended their unbeaten record to 14 races with an effortless success at odds of 1-5 in the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.

Henry de Bromhead’s mare eased into the lead around the home turn and quickly went clear of her four rivals before crossing the line six-and-a-half lengths in front of Zanahiyr. She will now head to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on 15 March as the odds-on favourite to defend the crown she won 12 months ago.

Earlier on the card, two more major hopes for the Festival from the Willie Mullins yard completed their preparations in impressive fashion, with Chacun Pour Soi and Galopin Des Champs running out easy winners by 12 and nine lengths, respectively.

Chacun Pour Soi will now join his stable companion, Energumene, in the field for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on 16 March, the only Grade One race at the Cheltenham Festival that Mullins has yet to win.

Shishkin, who beat Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last month, is 8-11 favourite to confirm the form next month, with Energumene on 3-1 and Chacun Pour Soi, beaten at odds-on in last year’s renewal, now 6-1 (from 8-1).