Irish Champion Hurdle date remains on Honeysuckle agenda

The brilliant mare suffered the first defeat of her career in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore on their way to the start ahead of finishing third to Teahupoo at Fairyhouse. Picture: Healy Racing

The Irish Champion Hurdle remains the likely next step for Honeysuckle after suffering defeat for the first time in her career at Fairyhouse.

Henry de Bromhead's brilliant mare was bidding for a record fourth Hatton's Grace Hurdle success and a 17th consecutive victory overall in Sunday's two-and-a-half-mile feature.