The brilliant Honeysuckle can make it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Baroneracing.com Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
On a cracking card the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare is set to make a triumphant return to action.
Honeysuckle has yet to meet with defeat on the track and she was brilliant in landing this race 12 months ago.
That victory was followed by one in the Irish Champion Hurdle before she bagged that epic mares hurdle at Cheltenham. The six-year-old hasn’t been seen since then but even so it is hard to look past her chances and she can deal with the race-fit Beacon Edge whose wins at Downpatrick and Galway give him a notable fitness edge.
Elsewhere on the card Envoi Allen will look to maintain his unbeaten sequence in the Drinmore Novice Chase.
Gordon Elliott’s charge was impressive on his first try over fences at Down Royal a month ago when he won easily.
He was entitled to win that race as he liked but he still made quite an impression with his jumping.
The hope at this stage is that he could be an even better chaser and if that proves to be the case his three rivals have it all to do this afternoon.
The Royal Bond Novice Hurdle looks a much more competitive affair but this might also go to the Elliott-trained Ballyadam.
This gelding came from the point-to-point field with a big reputation and he won his second start very impressively last season.
He also looked very good on his hurdling debut at Down Royal last month when he won a maiden hurdle with plenty to spare.
This race represents a step up in class but he looks a horse with Grade 1 potential and can see off Cask Make.
That one has come back from a near three-year absence in great shape and followed up a smooth maiden hurdle win at Limerick with an impressive display at Punchestown.
In a race that probably lacks some strength in depth he should be hard to keep out of the frame.
The most valuable race of the day is the Porterstown Chase where Mon Lino is put forward to strike for Paul Nolan.
This gelding is hard to win with but this sort of stamina test looks absolutely ideal for him and he was second in this race last year.
Elsewhere Emily Moon is better than she showed last time and she can land the opening beginners chase.
Ryan McElligott's tips:
12.00 Emily Moon;
12.30 Zanahiyr
1.05 Ballyadam
1.35 Envoi Allen
2.05 Mon Lino (Nap)
2.35 Honeysuckle
3.05 Advanced Virgo
3.40 Grand Parad is.
