Honeysuckle is within striking distance of being a Cheltenham Champion Hurdle favourite after romping to victory in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Henry De Bromhead’s mare had a strong advantage as far out as the penultimate hurdle under Rachael Blackmore as a commanding ten-length victory over Abacadabras extended her unblemished record to ten.
A Champion Hurdle bid was already being eyed by connections before the convincing display and BoyleSports have now slashed her chances into 5/2 from 11/2, putting her hot on the heels of 2/1 favourite Epatante.
Chacun Pour Soi earlier confirmed very strong claims for a Cheltenham Festival victory with an eye-catching win in the Dublin Chase to go odds-on to follow up in this year’s Champion Chase.
Favourite backers were not let down as the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old took control before the final flight before going to score impressively eight lengths clear of Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudaries. BoyleSports immediately went 5/6 from even money about a Champion Chase victory but it has since shortened further into 8/11 with Altior a distant second favourite at 7/1.
At Sandown, Native River rolled back the years with an impressive display in the Cotswold Chase and is now a 14/1 shot from 28/1 to become a dual Gold Cup winner having landed the race back in 2018.
Henry De Bromhead’s mare had a strong advantage as far out as the penultimate hurdle under Rachael Blackmore as a commanding ten-length victory over Abacadabras extended her unblemished record to ten.
A Champion Hurdle bid was already being eyed by connections before the convincing display and BoyleSports have now slashed her chances into 5/2 from 11/2, putting her hot on the heels of 2/1 favourite Epatante.
A Champion Hurdle bid is surely an irresistible prospect now for Honeysuckle after such a conclusive performance and antepost punters are absolutely buzzing about her chances.""
Chacun Pour Soi earlier confirmed very strong claims for a Cheltenham Festival victory with an eye-catching win in the Dublin Chase to go odds-on to follow up in this year’s Champion Chase.
Favourite backers were not let down as the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old took control before the final flight before going to score impressively eight lengths clear of Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudaries. BoyleSports immediately went 5/6 from even money about a Champion Chase victory but it has since shortened further into 8/11 with Altior a distant second favourite at 7/1.
At Sandown, Native River rolled back the years with an impressive display in the Cotswold Chase and is now a 14/1 shot from 28/1 to become a dual Gold Cup winner having landed the race back in 2018.
Chacun Pour Soi was so impressive in the Dublin Chase and even at short prices he’s being backed off the boards to follow up at Cheltenham.""