PCI Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

THE outcome that promised to provide day one of the Dublin Racing Festival with a fitting centrepiece duly came to fruition as Irish jump racing’s first females, Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore, stole the show in a gripping finale.

Where this race fits in the context of the Champion Hurdle will be poured over for the next month, but first and foremost this was a day of days for Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and Honeysuckle whose position as a mare of rare quality is indisputable.

After lighting up the early part of the winter with her Hatton’s Grace Hurdle triumph, Honeysuckle faced a new and different test as she tried two miles for only the second time in her career.

Will to win

Ultimately this race turned into one that examined speed, stamina and, above all else, a will to win. The Kenny Alexander-owned mare showed that she possessed each of these in abundance and she has given her connections the happy quandary of whether to head for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham or instead take up the option of the Mares’ Hurdle later that afternoon.

An 8/11 shot to extend her record on the track to seven wins from as many starts, Honeysuckle kept close to the pace which was set by her resurgent stablemate Petit Mouchoir. The star mare was slightly slow two out but she recovered to stride to the front early in the straight. At this point Petit Mouchoir was keeping on gamely while the Leopardstown specialist Sharjah had cracked.

Surge

Honeysuckle led over the last but a renewed surge from Petit Mouchoir carried him back on terms and the race’s surprise package Darver Star launched a tremendous rally on the outer. Honeysuckle refused to lie down though and forced her way back into the lead late on to hit the line with half a length to spare over Darver Star, with Petit Mouchoir the same distance back in third. Supasundae finished out well to take fourth on his first outing of the season.

“She’s just so tough and Rachael is just so tough. I’ve said it many times before we are just so lucky to have Rachael. She’s riding brilliantly and she’s always in the right place at the right time,” said de Bromhead who was winning this race for the third time.

“I thought that maybe Honeysuckle was just getting a bit lonely on the run to the last but she’s got a lot of heart as she showed there.

“I suppose Honeysuckle and Petit Mouchoir got racing early enough but they’ve both run huge races and I’m delighted with how Honeysuckle has adapted with the drop back to two miles. She’s just won an Irish Champion Hurdle and we’re going to enjoy today and then we can discuss Cheltenham afterwards. Petit Mouchoir ran a cracker and he will go for the Champion Hurdle.”

The winning rider added: “She’s a brilliant mare and so special, she’s just got that great will to win. I wasn’t getting too wrapped up in the drop back to two miles as she’s always done everything that has been asked of her and today was no different.”

Gavin Cromwell was understandably delighted with Darver Star who confirmed his position as a legitimate Grade 1 performer two months after his third to Envoi Allen in the Royal Bond. The trainer reported afterwards that his charge would try his hand in the Champion Hurdle.

Darver Star’s rider Jonathan Moore was hit with a six-day whip ban.