Honeysuckle was described as a “special mare” by Henry De Bromhead after she remained unbeaten and recorded her second Grade 1 success when taking the Baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Well-backed before the off having already enjoyed Grade 1 glory over the same course and distance last Easter, Honeysuckle was sent off as an odds-on favourite for what looked a particularly strong renewal given that it featured the history seeking ten-time Grade 1 winner Apple’s Jade and the former dual Cheltenham Festival winner Penhill lining up in opposition.
Positioned wide throughout racing on the heels of the pace-setting Killultagh Vic, Rachael Blackmore brought the five-year-old to the front around the home bend, and from that point she was never headed, despite putting in a slop leap at the last in the 2m 4f contest.
In the end, she returned nine lengths clear off Bacardys in what was a memorable one-two for point-to-point graduates, as she had made a winning debut in a four-year-old mares’ maiden at Dromahane for Jerry Cosgrave and Mark O’Hare.
Honeysuckle destroys a high-class field in the https://t.co/scMYVJnOhf Hatton's Grace Hurdle at #Fairyhouse to remain unbeaten #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/wfN9Lv1jbC
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 1, 2019
“She was brilliant, and even I could enjoy it a bit," said De Bromhead
"I couldn't believe it when Rachael took a pull on her turning in, considering the calibre of race she was in.
"She pinged the second last - and as Rachael said, they always seem to get the last wrong, but she got out over it and really powered to the line.
"She's a very professional mare, and Rachael gets on really well with her. This is why we are all in it, for a special mare like her.
"She loves it here at Fairyhouse, and we better go and find out now if she can go left-handed."
Honeysuckle is now the 6/4 favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, whilst she is also a 14/1 shot for the Champion Hurdle in March.
