The much-anticipated jump racing showdown is back on after it was revealed on Sunday that Honeysuckle is “very unlikely” to compete in the Mares’ Hurdle and that, if she does race at the Cheltenham Festival, it will be in the Unibet Champion Hurdle against Constitution Hill.

There were rumors that Honeysuckle might race against her own sex at Prestbury Park this season rather than taking on hot-shot Champion Hurdle favorite Constitution Hill after suffering her first defeat in 17 races while attempting to win a record-breaking fourth Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.

Next month, Molony will attempt to win a record-tying fourth Irish Champion Hurdle, and she stated: “We’d have to be hopeful and cheerful heading into the race.

The shock of the information caused Honeysuckle’s odds for the Mares’ Hurdle to plummet; on Sunday morning, she was about the 7-2 favorite.

The Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next month will determine whether or not Honeysuckle will face off against Constitution Hill, but according to Peter Molony, racing manager to owner Kenny Alexander, it is now looking more and more likely that it will be the Champion Hurdle or nothing at the Cheltenham Festival.

Molony told: “Kenny has said it for a long time 바카라사이트 that she owes us nothing and, if she is not running up to her full potential we’ll retire her.

When questioned if Honeysuckle had no chance of participating in the Mares’ Hurdle, Molony responded: “I’m not going to say zero, because you always have to keep your options open, but I would think it’s highly unlikely.”

“Honeysuckle been a wonderful servant to us and owes us absolutely nothing. We all love her to bits and just want to get her home in one piece.

In her attempt to become the fourth horse to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham three times, Honeysuckle is 8/1 with Sky Bet, Paddy Power, and Betfair.

“You’d have to be optimistic because people believe she ran the finest first race of her career. In any case, Henry seemed to be extremely 토토사이트 content with her.”