The Henry De Bromhead-trained mare was a three-length winner over Echoes In Rain (18/1) with Darasso (33/1) another 4 lengths further behind in third place.

Honeysuckle tracked the race leaders in third place for much of the race and was ridden to challenge two out. The Rachael Blackmore-ridden mare kept on strongly in the run in and put three lengths between herself and the rest of the field as she stretched her unbeaten record to 16 wins.

Eventual runner-up Echoes In Rain kept on at the same pace to hold off Darasso by a further four lengths.

Honeysuckle – the horse of a lifetime who retains her unbeaten record

16 runs
16 wins
@punchestownrace Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
Mares Hurdle
1⃣2⃣ G1 wins
Racing’s golden girl@HenrydeBromhead | @rachaelblackmor | #PTown22 pic.twitter.com/rscz5u6HFE

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2022

Twelve-time Grade 1 winner Honeysuckle has now claimed two Champion Hurdles at both Cheltenham and Punchestown as well as the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead intimated post-race that the top-class mare is likely to have four runs next season prior to retirement.

Another Grade 1 for Townend and Mullins

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins added another Grade 1 success to their long list of victories this week as they combined with State Man (11/10f) in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

The 2 mile 3 furlong contest saw the Cheltenham County Hurdle-winning five-year-old achieve a comfortable 7 lengths success from Flame Bearer (8/1) with Three Stripe Life (11/4) half-a-length further behind in third.

State Man is the real deal

He follows up his County Hurdle success with a stunning victory in the G1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle @punchestownrace @PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH #PTown22 pic.twitter.com/soEz7tu6IK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2022

Jezarus (15/2), owned by the Cribben Family, won the Stanley Asphalt Hunters Steeplechase for the Bishopscourt Cup. Trained by Ted Walsh, the winning jockey Ian Cribben was having his first racecourse ride in the 2 mile 5 furlong contest which is restricted to farmers farming land in the Kildare Hunt District.

El Barra (8/1) was a winner for champion conditional jockey-elect, Jack Foley, when the eight-year-old won the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A), another winner this week for champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins. The Rich Ricci-owned brown gelding was third to Bob Olinger in his most recent start at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

winners for @WillieMullinsNH at #PTown22

El Barra stays on best to land €100,000 event under Jack Foley who will be crowned champion apprentice at @punchestownrace tomorrow pic.twitter.com/GjyMgAzB6v

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2022

Billaway completes Cheltenham-Punchestown Hunters Chase double

Billaway (11/8) was crowned Champion Hunter Chaser with victory in the Irish Daily Star Champion Hunters Steeplechase over 3 miles. Ridden by Patrick Mullins, Billaway followed up his victory in the Cheltenham Hunters Chase with success at the County Kildare venue this evening.

The even-money favourite Vaucelet was the winner’s only challenger throughout the contest but gave way to the Closutton runner by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

A dramatic Irish Daily Star Champion Hunters Chase goes the way of Billaway who completes the Cheltenham-Punchestown Hunters Chase double for Patrick & @WillieMullinsNH @punchestownrace | #PTown22

Results & free replays https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/qd7KojsqKK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2022

The post Honeysuckle wins the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

In the colours of Joanne Coleman, the Paul Townend mount looked comfortable throughout the nearly 3 mile event. As the came into the home straight, the Cork rider oozed confidence on the previous 7-time winner. Once the Closutton favourite was asked to make his move, he cruised easily past the longtime front runner Gentlemansgame and Rachael Blackmore.

Ashdale Bob (11/2) was eventually Klassical Dream’s nearest rival but a length-and-a-quarter separated them at the line. The brave Gentlemansgame (10/1)stayed on for third spot, a further two-and-a-half lengths behind the runner up.

For the third day in a row, the main highlight went to the Paul Townend-Willie Mullins combination, having harvested the Grade 1 races so far during this year’s Festival.

Klassical Dream is the @punchestownrace King again in the Champion Stayers Hurdle for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend

2022
2021#PTown22 pic.twitter.com/gt9AJxPu7q

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2022

15 year old Ballyboker Bridge wins La Touche Cup

Fifteen-year-old Ballyboker Bridge won the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Steeplechase for Kildare trainer Peter Maher. The bay gelded son of Gold Well, who had previously won three of his 27 races, and had attained 13 places, was retired by his handler after the race.

A special performance

Townend and Mullins successfully teamed up again later in the day to win the other Grade 1 contest. Blue Lord (2/1f) outgunned Coeur Sublime (20/1) and Rachael Blackmore to claim the Barberstown Castle Novice Steeplechase over 2 miles. There was only a head separating the two at the death.

The Lord lays down the law at @punchestownrace

A game performance from Blue Lord who lands the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase to record his second G1 victory of the season @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend | @simon_munir | #PTown22 pic.twitter.com/l0urKitJJ9

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2022

At the age of 15, Ballyboker Bridge rolls back the years to record a second win in the La Touche Cup for Peter Maher @punchestownrace | #PTown22 pic.twitter.com/J0fQS836u0

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2022

The opening Specialist Joinery Group Handicap Hurdle went to 10/1 chance Broomfield Hall under Luke Dempsey as he held off the race 100/30 favourite Gin Coco by a length, with Pike County (28/1) a length-and-a-quarter further back in third.

Robbie Power and Henry De Bromhead teamed up to take the www.pigsback.com Handicap Chase with Magic Daze (3/1). The winner who kept in well in the run in beat Mt Leinster (7/2) and Sil Ver Klass (11/1). Following his win, jockey Robbie Power confirmed that he will retire after tomorrow’s Punchestown Champion Hurdle, Friday’s feature race.

Local trainer Denis Cullen provided top owner JP McManus with a winner in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle when the Niall Flynn-bred A Great View took the honours at 10/1. In the hands of Mark Walsh, A Great View had two-and-three-quarter lengths in hand on Bugs Moran (11/1) with 14/1 chance Maze Runner next home in third in the 25-runner handicap.

Lilith (4/1) and Rex Dingle provided the visitors with their first win of the Festival 2022 when the Henry Honeyball runner claimed the Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase at 7.10.

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The Henry de Bromhead-trained super mare is now 14 wins from 14 runs and equals Bula’s longstanding record, after her win in the €200,00 Grade 1 over 2 miles.

Nestled in third throughout by Rachael Blackmore, the eight-year-old jumped into the lead at the second last flight of hurdles. To the cheers of the crowd in the stands, the mare extended her lead before the final flight, defeating her main market rival Zanahiyr (6/1) by six and a half lengths, with 25/1 Echoes In Rain a further half a length back in third.

14 out of 14!

All class – the brilliant Honeysuckle lands a third @Chanelle_Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival@rachaelblackmor | @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/l1SdHrjmNt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Grade 1 treble for Townend and Mullins

The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase of €150,000 was the first of a Grade 1 treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Galopin Des Champs (4/9f), highly impressive in a beginners chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, was a comfortable winner of the 2 mile 5 furlongs contest to claim the €88,500 first prize.

Wow – Galopin Des Champs justifies the hype in the Grade 1 @Ladbrokes Novice Chase! #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/OuerwjKGYn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Half an hour later, the Closutton team was back in the winners’ enclosure as 4/7f Chacun Pour Soi came back to form to take the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase, worth €150,000, over 2 miles 1 furlong. It was a third win in succession in the race for the French-bred ten-year-old.

Three from three in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase!

That’s more like it from Chacun Pour Soi at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/QMGyxWA6z8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) of €150,000 run over 2 miles was the final part of a Day 2 treble for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned son of Jeremy, Sir Gerhard (8/13f), had enough in hand coming to the last, which neither he nor the runner-up Three Stripe Life (5/1) jumped very well. He ran out a six-length winner with the same distance further back to Colonel Mustard (14/1) back in third.

Sir Gerhard strikes in the @tatts_ireland Novice Hurdle!

The Champion Bumper winner lands top-level honours over hurdles for @PTownend, Willie Mullins and @CPStudOfficial #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/AP7iyA120Y

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Gordon Elliott scored a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle. Davy Russell steered the 7/4 favourite Party Central to victory in the colours of Bective Stud, while the Robcour-owned Say Goodbye (33/1) stayed on for second under jockey Robbie Power, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

The Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase of €125,000 over 2 miles 5 furlongs went to the bottom weight Birchdale (9/2) for Enda Bolger and rider Mark McDonagh.

The winner of the 2 mile Liffey Handicap Hurdle (€125,000) was won by Call Me Lyreen (20/1) while Lily Du Berlais (40/1) was the final winner of the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival as she claimed the highly competitive €100,000 Coolmore N.H. Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) over 2 miles.

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Prior to the Festival last year, Blackmore was considered a strong contender, but few could have anticipated the success she would ultimately enjoy. You would have got long odds if you’d bet on horse racing exchange for Blackmore to win six races, but she stunned racing fans all over the world and became something of a sporting icon overnight. 

Now, all eyes are turning towards Blackmore once again as she seeks to produce yet more heroics at the Cheltenham Festival. The 2022 edition of the event is just a couple of months away, and racing fans all across the country are expecting big things of Blackmore, now that she has proved herself on the biggest stage and in the most prestigious races. 

Honeysuckle, last year’s winner of the Champion Hurdle, is heavily favoured to defend the title, and Blackmore will likely be the jockey in the saddle for that one. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the mare is unbeaten in all her career outings thus far, and it’s hard to see that run of victories coming to an end, even if she will face stiff competition from the likes of Appreciate It, Sharjah and Epatante. 

Similarly, Allaho is well fancied to repeat his success in the Ryanair Chase. Blackmore produced a fine display to win the race last year, and the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old looks in good nick following a win in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown back in December. The chasing pack for the 2022 Ryanair Chase, according to the betting market, includes Fakir D’Oudairies, Saint Calvados and Shan Blue.

Of course, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be races that Blackmore will be desperate to add to her CV, having fallen short in both in 2021. She rode the 22/1 shot Notebook to a seventh-placed finish in last year’s Champion Chase, and then failed to get A Plus Tard over the line in first place in the Gold Cup, with stablemate Minella Indo nicking the big one. 

Captain Guinness could be Blackmore’s best bet for the 2022 Champion Chase, although the ante-post odds are listing him as a 20/1 shot, so the jockey will have to work to do to overcome some of the favourites in that race, which include Shishkin, Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi. 

As for the Gold Cup, Blackmore will view it as one that got away last year, despite her huge haul of wins in other races. A Plus Tard was seen as the most likely horse to topple two-time defending champion Al Boum Photo, but it was Minella Indo and jockey Jack Kennedy who stole the show. 

It will be interesting to see whether Blackmore rides A Plus Tard again in the Gold Cup or if she switches to Minella Indo. It’s one of the big decisions facing De Bromhead in the lead-up to the showpiece race, but whoever Blackmore takes the saddle of, you can bet she’ll be doing everything to land the victory. 

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Day 1 – Irish Gold Cup

The Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon is among 18 horses entered for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup which will feature on the opening day of the festival for the first time.

Nicholls previously rode the winner of the race in Playschool in 1988 and then trained Neptune Collonges to win in 2009. He has also entered his four-time Grade 1 winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Irish Gold Cup. His King George VI Chase conqueror Tornado Flyer is among an entry of eight in the race for Willie Mullins. The Closutton handler has also engaged Kemboy, last year’s Irish Gold Cup winner, Melon and Asterion Forlonge.

Galvin, successful in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, Mount Ida, Delta Work and Run Wild Fred are on the Gordon Elliott team. Minella Indo and Eklat De Rire have been entered by Henry de Bromhead.

Day 2 – Irish Champion Hurdle

Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle and racing’s star mare Honeysuckle heads the dozen entries as she bids to become only the third horse after Istabraq and Hurricane Fly to win the race on more than two occasions.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare completed a hat-trick of wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on her seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse in November. The Kenny Alexander-owned eight-year-old is bidding to extend her remarkable unbeaten winning streak to 14 under Rachael Blackmore.

Her trainer Henry de Bromhead is the only trainer to have won the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle with three different horses, Sizing Europe, Petit Mouchoir and Honeysuckle. He has also entered Quilixios in this year’s renewal. Willie Mullins has four entries, headed by last season’s leading novice hurdler Appreciate It. Leopardstown stalwart Sharjah, a four-time Matheson Hurdle winner and third in Irish Champion Hurdle last year is also among the Mullins string. The champion trainer also has Echoes In Rain and Saint Roi in the race.

The post Early entries for Irish Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Winner of the two-mile event for the past three years, the Patrick Mullins-ridden bay gelding battled Zanahiyr (5/1) by a neck in the closing stages of the long run-in, as the final hurdle was omitted due to the low sun.

4⃣ victories in a row in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle for Sharjah

35 starts
10 wins
6 Grade 1 victories
Absolute superstar@WillieMullinsNH | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/EcwTykRPIN

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 29, 2021

An ultra-consistent son of Doctor Dino as a 10-time winner  – six at Grade 1 level – and 20-times placed horse, Sharjah now brings his career earning to almost €900,000. It was a 21st Grade 1 success for the winning trainer’s jockey son, Patrick.

Elliott and Kennedy take another Grade 1

There was another Grade 1 chase victory for Gordon Elliott on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. The Cullentra House Stables handler produced a 1-2 in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.

Road to glory

A 1-2 for @gelliott_racing and Gigginstown House Stud in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at @LeopardstownRC, as Fury Road produces a stunning performance in the hands of @jackkennedy15 as he powers clear for an impressive success pic.twitter.com/Pwa6hRcOzj

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 29, 2021

In the 8-runner race over 3 miles, it was the outsider of Elliott’s two runners that claimed the €59,000 top prize. Jack Kennedy steered Fury Road (7/1) to a comfortable 8 length win from the Davy Russell-ridden favourite Run Wild Fred (9/4f). The prominent Vanillier (5/2) stayed on for third spot, 10 lengths behind the runner-up, and just a short-head in front of Max Flamingo (28/1) in fourth.

Royal Kahala benefits from step up in distance

The Grade 3 Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle saw the return to action of the Closutton Racing Club-owned Shewearsitwell (9/4f). Unbeaten in three runs to date, the daughter of Shirocco hadn’t seen a racecourse since Tipperary in October 2020. It wasn’t to be a successful return, however, as the filly and Paul Townend parted company at the first hurdle after the main stand.

It was Royal Kahala (11/4), up in distance from 2 miles 2 furlongs, who took the spoils, wearing down the brave front-running Heaven Help Us (5/1) at the line, winning by a neck from the Paul Hennessy-handled daughter of Yeats, with a further length back to the top-weight Telmesomethinggirl (11/1).

Royal victory

Grade 3 success for Royal Kahala who snatches victory in dramatic fashion at @LeopardstownRC, wearing down the front-running Heaven Help Us for a narrow success in the hands of @kevinsexton94 for trainer @PeterRacing pic.twitter.com/1CYwFo0NXR

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 29, 2021

Journey With Me Remains Unbeaten

Kilcruit, beaten at odd of 1/14 at Cork earlier this month, went on a retrieval mission in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle, but this time around the Willie Mullins-handled son of Stowaway found two his better.

Journey With Me (3/1), trained by Henry De Bromhead for Robcour, and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, maintain his unbeaten race record, having previously won a Point-to-Point at Ballindenisk and then a bumper at Gowran Park, when coming home with three and a half lengths to spare over Minella Crooner (12/1) with race favourite Kilcruit (4/9f) well held a further length and a quarter back in third.

Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead said of Journey With Me: “I’m delighted with him – he’s a lovely horse.”

Philip Rothwell’s Siberian Star (8/1) was an easy 11-length winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase under jockey Paddy O’Hanlon for owners Scrub A Dub Dub Syndicate.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle went the way of Good Time Johnny (6/1) for Meath trainer Tony Martin and jockey Kevin Sexton – a double on the day for the rider.

The concluding Plusvital Flat Race was won by The Nice Guy (1/1), completing a double on the day for Patrick and Willie Mullins. It also gave the Closutton team a clean sweep of all four bumpers at the 2021 Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

The post Sharjah wins a fourth Matheson Hurdle appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Mighty Potter (5/2) was a first Grade 1 success for rider Jack Kennedy since his return from injury. The Gordon Ellliot-handled bay gelding won the €100,000 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle over 2 miles for owners Caldwell Construction Ltd. In what was a one-two for Elliott, Three Stripe Life and Davy Russell were second at 4/1.

The Grade 1 @paddypower Future Champions Novice Hurdle goes the way of Mighty Potter, who leads home a 1-2 for trainer @gelliott_racing in the hands of @jackkennedy15

Fantastic to hear both Arctic Warrior and Mark Walsh are up and ok pic.twitter.com/L9vaIPIAPm

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 27, 2021

“It was great for Jack – his first winner back,” said Gordon Elliott. “The other horse (Three Stripe Life) is also a nice horse. I was happy the whole way until the second last but he got wiped out at the second last – both horses did. Both showed guts to comeback – two nice horses for the future.”

Envoi Allen wins Grade 1 Chase

The first Grade 1 of the day, The Paddy’s Rewards Steeplechase, saw just three go to post with the early morning defection of Chacun Pour Soi. This left Battleoverdoyen, Envoi Allen and Sizing Pottsie to battle it out for the €125,000 contest over 2 miles 1 furlong.

With Sizing Pottsie prominent early doors, the Seán O’Keeffe-ridden runner was the first beaten, and would finish the race without the assistance of the rider in the saddle. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Battleoverdoyen (9/2) and Cheveley Park Stud’s Envoi Allen (2/5f) then took one another on as they battled until the final fence.

Envoi Allen returns to winning ways with victory in the Grade 1 @paddypower Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, forging clear under @rachaelblackmor to score in good style for @HenrydeBromhead and @CPStudOfficial pic.twitter.com/f8NzrHPf6x

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 27, 2021

Envoi Allen, who was down from 2m 4 furlongs at Punchestown, and last season’s Aintree Grand National-winning rider Rachael Blackmore pulled clear from the last fence, eventually claiming the €73,750 first prize by seven and a half lengths from the Jack Kennedy-ridden runner-up Battleoverdoyen.

“We had a bit of scare there turning in but he put his head down,” said winning jockey Rachael Blackmore. “I think Henry was definitely right to step him back. Obviously with Chacun Pour Soi being out it changed the dynamic of the race.”

School Boy Hours claims €200,000 Paddy Power Chase

Top owner JP McManus was mob-handed in the richest race of the day, the Paddy Power Chase over 3 miles.

It was one of the low weights, School Boy Hours (12/1), carrying 10-08 that took the spoils for handler Noel Meade and jockey Seán Flanagan.

In the 28-runner field, top weight Coco Beach made most of the early running under seven-pound claimer Rob James. The early exertions took their toll as the Gigginstown House Stud runner faded before the business end of the race.

School Boy Hours wins the €200,000 Paddy Power Chase for @swflanagan7 & @tuvastables in a thrilling finish at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/H4U220c2gg

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2021

Ben Dundee (33/1), owned by Chris Jones, gave School Boy Hours most to do in the dying stages, but the McManus runner held him at bay by half a length, with Enjoy D’allen (28/1) two and a half lengths further back in third, ahead of Braeside (14/1), Death Duty and Birchdale.

Icare Allen wins on Irish debut

The French-bred Icare Allen took the opening 3-Y-O- Maiden Hurdle for Willie Mullins, jockey Mark Walsh and owner JP McManus. Walsh, who switched from another McManus-owned runner, Brazil, was a three-length victor on his Irish debut, having previously won over a mile and a half in France last August. The Peter Fahy-trained Privilege was a big-priced runner-up at 80/1 while Vera Verto (11/2) from the Gavin Cromwell yard took third.

“Lovely horse. He did it very well and had been working well at home,” Willie Mullins explained. “In fact the only bad bit of work he did was the one where I took him away to see how good he was and he worked desperate.”

Haut En Couleurs takes Beginners Chase

Willie Mullins quickly brought up a double when 1/3 favourite Haut En Couleurs won the Paddy Power Games Beginners Chase under Paul Townend. In the colours of the Donnellys, the French-bred four year old son of Saint Des Saints led home a 1-2-3 for the Closutton handler as Gentleman De Mee (5/1) took the runner-up position with front runner Mt Leinster bringing up the trifecta – both of the placed horses conceding 6 pounds to the winner.

“I think he looks Arkle material, and maybe Gentleman De Mee too,” admitted the winning handler post-race, “I think both horses will improve from the run.”

Brides Hill was game in making all in the Paddy Power ‘I’ve Had More Vaccines Than Nights Out’ Handicap Hurdle under Luke Depmsey. In the colours of the Brides Hill Syndicate, the Gavin Cromwell-trained four year old daughter of Dylan Thomas came home in splendid isolation at a price of 16/1.

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The former jockey has given his tips on the horses he thinks will bring success in the coming months.

Walsh’s picks include five horses trained by Willie Mullins, with several recent race winners included.

Energumene, Chacun Pour Soi, Appreciate It and Echoes in Rain, who have all picked up wins in Ireland during the 2021 season, are shortlisted by the Irish pundit as ones to watch.

Also on his list is Kilcruit, a six-year-old horse, who the list maker tips to be the “outstanding novice hurdler.”

Three other trainers are represented on the list – Henry De Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and Philip Hobbs all have horses tipped by Walsh to succeed.

Honeysuckle, a horse who won the Champions Hurdle at Cheltenham with 2021 Irish Racing Hero Rachael Blackmore, is named as one to watch.

Walsh notes that the decision to pick Honeysuckle was easy as he believes that the horse “has been high on everyone’s list.”

Blackmore and De Bromhead’s 2019 Cheltenham race winners A Plus Tard and Minella Indo also make an appearance.

The final two horses on Walsh’s radar are Gordon Elliott’s Fil Dor and Philip Hobbs’ Thyme Hill, who he puts among esteemed company.

Three-year-old Fil Dor is the latest racing horse trained by Gordon Elliott to come onto the scene and Walsh expects a big season for the latest in the production line.

Hobbs will be aiming for another win with Thyme Hill, who has achieved success with Tom O’Brien and Richard Johnson in the last three years.

The post Ruby Walsh names 10 horses to follow ahead of National Hunt Season appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Killenaule, Co. Tipperary rider is bidding for Cheltenham Festival history today as she attempts to become the first female jockey to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Speaking about the race favourite, Blackmore said:

“Honeysuckle is incredible. She’s never let us down so far and I’m just hoping we can continue in the Champion Hurdle. She digs deep when she has to, she gets me out of trouble when she has to – she’s just been phenomenal and I can’t find any fault with her.”

Blackmore, who has ridden over 80 winners in Ireland this season and is only six behind the jockeys’ title leader Paul Townend, added:

“It’s fantastic to be involved with a horse of her calibre. It is what any jockey dreams about, getting teamed up with something like her. It’s just a privilege.”

Unbeaten in 10 runs over hurdles

Honeysuckle, a Sulamani mare, is unbeaten in her 10 starts over hurdles. She took the Grade One Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2020 with Blackmore in the saddle. The pair have since won the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November and the Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February, the latter by 10 lengths.

Blackmore added: “Her owner, Kenny Alexander, his main aim was to win the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and that was a fantastic achievement for him to be able to do that, with the help of Peter Molony. We got that done last year, and I think her performance at Leopardstown was ultra-impressive. So why not have a stab at the Champion Hurdle?

“It’s an extremely competitive race; these championship races are unbelievable. There’s last year’s winner Epatante, Goshen. Hopefully we are on our A game and can produce the goods again.”

The thirty-one year-old jockey has tasted Cheltenham Festival success on three occasions. Her first win came with Minella Indo in the 2019 Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. A Plus Tard in the 2019 Listed Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase gave Blackmore her second Festival victory. Last year, Honeysuckle took the Grade One Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

The post “I can’t find any fault with Honeysuckle” says Rachael Blackmore appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle

Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle faces five rivals in the feature race, the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

The Rachael Blackmore-ridden unbeaten superstar will face three from the Willie Mullins stable. Triple Matheson Hurdle winner Sharjah heads Mullins’ team. The champion handler is also represented by Saint Roi and Saldier. Gordon Elliott saddles both Abacadabras and Petit Mouchoir. The latter horse won the 2017 Irish Champion Hurdle when trained by Henry de Bromhead.

Ladbroke’s Dublin Chase

Six horses line up in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Mullins will again have three in this race. Last year’s first and second, Chacun Pour Soi and Min, and Tornado Flyer will represent the Closutton handler.

The 2020 Arkle Novice Chase victor, Notebook, represents Henry de Bromhead in this contest. Jessica Harrington runs Sizing Pottsie and Joseph O’Brien saddles Fakir D’oudairies.

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle

The first of Saturday’s Grade 1 races is the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle. Course winners Gaillard Du Mesnil and Stattler head Mullins’ strong team. Emmet Mullins runs another leading fancy in Cape Gentleman. Gavin Cromwell has Vanillier in the field. Mouse Morris will be represented by Gentlemansgame. Jessica Harrington’s Ashdale Bob and the Gordon Elliott-trained Fakiera are other notable runners in a field of 13.

Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase

Willie Mullins launches a strong challenge for the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase. The champion trainer runs Energumene, Franco De Port, Unexcepted and Blackbow. Gavin Cromwell saddles Darver Star, while Henry de Bromhead runs Captain Guinness. Gordon Elliott’s Felix Desjy is another strong entry in the race.

The Matheson Handicap Chase

The Matheson Handicap Chase has a full field of 20. Epson Du Houx will be seeking a hat-trick. Emmet Mullins’ The Shunter, Aramax, trained by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins’ pair, Pont Aven and Andalusa are likely to be some of the main players in the race.

Ladbroke’s Hurdle

Twenty two runners will line up for the Ladbrokes Hurdle. The Eddie Cawley-trained Golden Jewel was runner-up in the contest a year ago. Topping the weights is the Willie Mullins-trained Buildmeupbuttercup. Paul O’Flynn saddles West Cork Wildway. Eclair De Beaufeu is a likely strong challenger for the race, having won the Matheson Handicap Chase in 2020.  Noel Meade’s Hes A Hardy Bloke, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Gabynako, and the Charles Byrnes-trained Advanced Virgo could also be in the reckoning.

Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race

The Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race, won by Envoi Allen in 2019 and Appreciate It last year, will have ten runners. Gordon Elliott relies on Chemical Energy, Willie Mullins runs three. The Closutton team is Kilcruit, Whatdeawant and Ramillies. Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit and the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats are also included.

The first of a seven-race card is underway at 1.05pm. There will be TV coverage on RTÉ, ITV and Racing TV.

A free racecard for Saturday can be accessed here.

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