*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The mighty mare Honeysuckle bids to make history by landing the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse for a record-breaking fourth time.
She faces seven rivals for her first assignment of the season including Willie Mullins’ three hopefuls – Echoes In Rain, Klassical Dream and Saldier.
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Ashdale Bob, Darver Star and Gordon Elliott pair Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo complete the field for Sunday’s 14:30.
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise a horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips are below.
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle runners
Ashdale Bob
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart hurdler. C&D winner. Respectable 12 lengths third of 9 to Home By The Lee in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft, 13/2) 21 days ago. No forlorn hope.
***
Darver Star
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart hurdler. 3 wins from 4 runs this season. 5/4, didn’t need to be at best when winning 5-runner minor event hurdle at Punchestown (18f, good) 54 days ago, easing clear. This is no easy ask though.
**
Klassical Dream
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class hurdler. 37/10, creditable 7 lengths second of 8 to Hermes Baie in Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil at Auteuil (25.4f, soft), travelling strongly. Off 6 months. Yard having good spell so holds good place claims.
****
Saldier
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart hurdler. 7¾ lengths third of 4 to State Man in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 25/1) 14 days ago. Stable in good form but has plenty to find on form.
***
Sire Du Berlais
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart hurdler. Below form 20 lengths fifth of 9 to Home By The Lee in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft, 22/1) 21 days ago. Needs to bounce back.
***
Teahupoo
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart hurdler. Course winner. 24½ lengths last of 6 to Honeysuckle in Punchestown Champion Hurdle at Punchestown (16f, good to soft, 12/1). Off 7 months. Up in trip with more needed.
***
Echoes In Rain
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Smart hurdler. 6/1, creditable second of 30 in handicap at the Curragh (16.6f, soft) 70 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Back up in trip. Yard in good form so this course winner can’t be dismissed.
***
Honeysuckle
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Top-class hurdler who landed Champion Hurdle for second time at Cheltenham in March and signed off last term with win in Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Remains unbeaten in this sphere and she looks very hard to beat on her seasonal return in her bid for a fourth success in this event.
*****
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle tips
Timeform: HONEYSUCKLE makes her eagerly-awaited return and it’s very hard to envisage anything other than a comfortable success for Henry de Bromhead’s unbeaten and top-class mare as she bids for a superb fourth straight victory in this event. Wille Mullins saddles three and his pair of Klassical Dream and Echoes In Rain appeal as the duo to chase home the favourite.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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