Honeysuckle proved yet again to be too good for her competitors this Tuesday when she won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for the second year in a row. The Wonder Mare brought the house down as she took her unbeaten run to 15 with another great performance.
Rachael Blackmore became the first female to bag the Grand National after storming to victory on Honeysuckle 12 months after winning the same championship In a nearly empty field.
However, glamor and pomp stakes were higher this year, with a blend of amazing fashion and style. Just like gamers weren’t taking any chances with the latest Best Grand National offers, elated racegoers did not disappoint when it came to fashion, particularly if you consider the pleasantly warm temperatures.
Successful behind closed doors about a year ago, the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse gave the enormous crowd enough to cheer about when she stormed up the hill to join Rachael Blackmore’s select hand of dual winners.
The 1st and 2nd Runners Up
“Appreciate It,” who was having his first race since he won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago, was in the first position initially competing closely with “Not So Sleepy for company” until Honeysuckle made her move and moved to the front within seconds in the second-last flight.
The 8-11 favorite set sailed home easily, and although challenged a bit by Epatante (16-1), Nicky Henderson’s 2020 winner, Honeysuckle, was too smart and fast and went on to win by 3.5 lengths. Zanahiyr (28-1) came in a distant third. Appreciate It faded to finish 7th.
The main competitor, “Appreciate It,” made the early run and was leading with two to jump, but Wonder Mare raced clear and took the final hurdle wonderfully to lead the field away.
The unbeaten mare was shouted home, with a packed crowd in attendance, as she made it 15 in a row. This was the best antidote to the uninviting silence that greeted horse and rider when they ascended the hill in front of only 41 people a year earlier.
Before The Race
Initially, before the race, Rachael Blackmore was adamant that last year’s Cheltenham glory would not affect her return. Blackmore was hotly tipped to get off to a winning start as she reunited with Henry Honeysuckle to defend their win a year ago.
When asked about their chances of winning before the race, Rachael said: “The expectation is there but I know how hard it is to get winners at Cheltenham, I’m realistic. Honeysuckle has never let me down to this date so I can’t see why this year would be any different.”
With an unbeaten career of 15 victories plus being the first pair to win the Champion Hurdle twice in a row, there is no doubt that the two are the best at the moment. Some may argue that Honeysuckle is simply the best of a modest lot or that her 7lb mares’ allowance from male horses is unfair, but she was exceptionally dominant, and her relationship with Blackmore is a joy to see.
