As I sit here in Kerry, I think of the famous quote ‘There are only two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry’. But on Tuesday the 15th of March, there could be a third Kingdom, the Kingdom of Honeysuckle. The unbeaten mare is arguably the best horse in training at the moment and will look to defend her Champion Hurdle crown on the first day of The Festival. She can win anyway she wants, leading from the front or waiting for her opportunity to pounce as others tire. Her 1/2 price seems to suggest that she won’t be beaten. Is there anything at all that will catch her or even put up a fight, or is this already signed sealed and delivered?

The first championship race of the meeting is the most prestigious hurdling race on the event calendar and is run over 2m87y. JP McManus has owned nine winners, including the mighty Istabraq who took home the spoils three times in a row, from 1998 to 2000, Nicky Henderson has trained eight winners, and Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Tim Moloney have ridden four winners each. Last year, Honeysuckle had the fastest time (3.54.63) since Buveur d’Air in 2017 (3.50.9), with Annie Power clocking the fastest time on record the year before (3.45.10). The favourite has won the race seven of the last eleven years, with Buveur d’Air at 4/6 in 2018 being the shortest out of those favs. Also, no eight-year-old or older has won the race since Annie Power in 2016.

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore draw the biggest Irish crowd since Faugheen the Machine was at the height of his powers. Twice in recent months I have witnessed grown men and women sprint back to the parade ring after an easy victory, to catch a glimpse at the inspiring duo. Even last year, I was on my knees as they romped home in Prestbury Park. She is a perfect 14 from 14 and looks on course to make it one more at least. Her most recent victory came in the Irish Champion Hurdle on 6th February, as she dispatched her rivals with ease, powering away as the turned the home bend. She beat Zanahiyr that day by 6 1/2 lengths and didn’t look in trouble at any stage. Pundits are saying that it wasn’t her most impressive performance, but I think Rachael is trusting her more and more as the races go on, only doing what needs to be done, while saving some diesel in the tank. She is following the exact same prep form as last year, winning the Champion Hurdle on Feb 6th then heading to The Festival there after. What more can be said about her, she is the highest rated hurdler in training, she has Cheltenham form, beaten the best on her day, and can win anyway she wants. Henry de Bromhead has had a below form season, but that doesn’t matter. She should win, so is there anything at all that can put it up to her?

To me, Appreciate It at a price of 7/2 is the biggest variable in the race and the most likely contender to Honeysuckle’s crown. The Michael Masterson owned eight-year-old hasn’t ran since romping home in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He won by 24 lengths that day but hasn’t been seen since. The most intriguing piece of information from his run that day is that his time (3.56.32) would have been good enough for second had he ran in the Champion Hurdle. An impressive feat to be two seconds off of Honeysuckle, given his novice nature. The lack of a competitive run may hurt him, but Willie Mullins knows best and who are we to argue against him. He could be an interesting bet without Honeysuckle on the day. Maybe a nice leg of an acca.

Next up in the betting is the in form Teahupoo. The Gordon Elliot trained five-year-old has won six from seven over hurdles, including a nice grade two in Limerick on 29th December. He beat Quilixios by half a length that day but went on to hammer him in their most recent run, the grade three Red Mills Trial Hurdle on 19th February. Quilixios won last year’s Triumph Hurdle, over the likes on Zanahiyr, so that form looks solid. Teahupoo also beat the ever-consistent Darasso in the Red Mills, who always runs well in graded company. Teahupoo is a young candidate who is certainly open to improvement, but the Champion Hurdle is major step up, and with him never being to Cheltenham, I can’t be having him at the 7/1 price, after being hammered in from 20s.

The 2020 winner Epatante rounds out the single figure prices at 9/1. The JP McManus owned mare has been there and done that but was no match for Honeysuckle last year, being beaten by 9 1/2 lengths as she attempted to retain her crown. After last year’s Champion Hurdle, Epatante was once again beaten by Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle in Punchestown in April, this time by 12 1/2 lengths. She has been back in the winner’s circle since then, taking down a grade one in Kempton, beating Glory and Fortune by 2 1/4 lengths, along with sharing the spoils in a dead heat with Not so Sleepy, in the grade one Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November. Unfortunately for Epatante fans, those were both weak fields, with Glory and Fortune, and Not so Sleepy +40/1 prices for the Champion Hurdle. One positive note is that on the ‘Off the Fence’ show, Barry Geraghty did say he thinks she could well get in the places on the day. Although, I won’t hang my hat on that.

We have Adagio and Zanahiyr up next at 16/1. Adagio ran a big race in his most recent showing, putting it up to the mercurial Goshen in the grade two Kingwell Hurdle. He looked like he had it in the bag coming over the second last, but Goshen dug deeper, pulling it out of the fire as they neared the line. He obviously tired coming to the line, but to be fair he is coming off of a 97-day break. He came second in last year’s Triumph behind Quilixios, so can’t be ruled out of a placed run for certain. Zanahiyr came fourth in that same race last year, just seeming to find nothing up the run in. The Bective stud gelding was beaten by Honeysuckle by 6 ½ lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle, so the form is sort of there, but I just can’t be having him in this year’s renewal.

Jack’s pick: Honeysuckle 1/2.

Dan’s pick: Head to the Mill House Bar, order a pint of stout and give the mare a shout.

J.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

• Jack’s pick: Sir Gerhard/Dysart Dynamo. 9/4.
• Dan’s pick: Constitutional Hill (Nap of day one) 2/1.

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

• Jack’s pick: Haut En Couleurs 6/1 E/W.
• Dan’s pick: Edwardstone 2/1.