Punchestown Festival: Honeysuckle defends her crown in Champion Hurdle

Honeysuckle is primed to extend her undefeated record as she bids for a second Paddy Power Champion Hurdle title at Punchestown on Friday.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare silenced any doubters at the Cheltenham Festival when retaining her Champion Hurdle title and preserving her flawless record to a ratio that now balances at 15 runs and 15 victories.

A two-and-a-quarter-length winner of this race last season, with connections of Constitution Hill opting to keep their powder dry the eight-year-old will face just five rivals this time around as she looks to add a 16th triumph to her CV.

De Bromhead said: "Honeysuckle is in mighty form since Cheltenham. She seems really well. She had to battle to win at Punchestown race last year but they went some pace in it and I think she did what she had to do and was good on the day.

"I think it's fair comment to say she only does what she needs to in order to win her races and that probably has helped her keep reproducing so consistently throughout her career.

"It's a privilege for all of us to be associated with her. She has been incredible since being bought by Peter Molony and Kenny Alexander at Punchestown and we can't wait to go again."

The JP McManus green and gold silks will be worn by two contenders, with Willie Mullins' Saint Roi and Joseph O'Brien's Darasso both in action.

The former finished fourth behind Honeysuckle at Cheltenham and in the Irish Champion Hurdle, whereas Darasso was a winner last time out at a lower grade when taking the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

"Darasso is a class horse," said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.

"He won well at Fairyhouse and is probably up against it against the mare (Honeysuckle) but he goes there in good form, in