- Honeysuckle eyes £253,000 Unibet Champion Hurdle winner’s purse
By Andrew Atkinson
Honeysuckle (3.30) goes to post on day one of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival on March 15, as odds-on 8-15 favourite to bag the Unibet Champion Hurdle winner’s purse of £253,000.
Henry de Bromhead trained Honeysuckle, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, faces 2020 winner Epatante and Willie Mullins trained Appreciate It, the latter the main danger amongst the 10 runners field.
Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo, priced at 8-1, is worthy of each-way support.
Honeysuckle is unbeaten in 14 runs and De Bromhead said: “I’d love to do as well as last year – but if we could do half as well we’d have to be very happy. Last year was extraordinary.
“I think the horses are good, they seem really healthy, scoped well and their bloods are great.
“Rachael Blackmore just seems to be so good and has such a will to win. Up until now, there’s no set tactic Rachael has to work with. I suppose that’s a reflection of how good she is.
“Appreciate It looks very good – it sounds like they’re happy with Epatante – and Teahupoo has been impressive.”
Unibet Champion Hurdle Grade 1 Challenge Trophy 2 miles (3.30)
Adagio Tom Scudamore
Appreciate It Paul Townend
Glory And Fortune Stan Sheppard
Not So Sleepy Johnny Burke
Saint Roi Mark Walsh
Teahupoo Robbie Power
Tommy’s Oscar Danny McMenamin
Zanahiyr Jack Kennedy
Epatante Aidan Coleman
Honeysuckle Rachael Blackmore
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.30 Dysart Dynamo. Mighty Potter (ew). 2.10 Edwardstone. Coeur Sublime (ew). 2.50 Does He Know (ew). Floueur (ew). 3.30 Honeysuckle. Teahupoo (ew). 4.10 Echoes In Rain (ew). Marie’s Rock (ew). 4.50 Brazil (ew). 5.30 Run Wild Fred.
Caption: Rachael Blackmore rides Honeysuckle (3.30) Unibet Champion Hurdle.
