Honeysuckle on course to defend Hatton's crown, says Henry De Bromhead

Honeysuckle (nearest) is set to run at Fairyhouse at the end of the month before heading for the Irish Champion Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing

The unbeaten Honeysuckle is on course to defend her Baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle crown, so said trainer Henry De Bromhead, as the Fairyhouse winter festival, November 28 and 29, was launched in Covid-compliant style, through a Zoom call.

The first of her three Grade 1 successes of last season came in this race, in which she raced home a long way clear of Bacardys and former three-time winner of the race Apple’s Jade. She went on from there to win the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and De Bromhead is hopeful she will return in similar form.