‘He jumped like a champion’ – Willie Mullins up for Constitution Hill clash with State Man but Honeysuckle could retire
WILLIE MULLINS is up for a Champion Hurdle shootout with his State trooper.
Exciting six-year-old State Man confirmed himself the main challenger to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham with a dominant win at Leopardstown.
PAState Man was an impressive winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle[/caption]
PAHoneysuckle suffered her second defeat in a row – and retirement could beckon[/caption]
But retirement looks on the cards for fan favourite Honeysuckle, who went down on her sword but was well-held in second in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
There was a real buzz around Leopardstown as Rachael Blackmore got the leg up on the wondermare in the paddock, with loud cries of ‘go on, Rachael’ as she headed out to the track.
Barely five minutes later the place was deadly silent as Henry De Bromhead’s nine-year-old suffered her second defeat in a row.
Take nothing away from State Man, who has now won six on the spin over hurdles and is the clear 3-1 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
He looks all-over a Champion Hurdle horse and he would be the one to beat in an ordinary year – sadly for him Constitution Hill is anything but ordinary.
Winning trainer Mullins said: “It wasn’t the plan originally to make the running but Paul wanted to control the race and he did it very nicely.
“He jumped like a Champion Hurdler all the way down the back, he was asked some big questions and he came up every time.
“He is improving all the time and I couldn’t have asked for anymore. He has won the County Hurdle and he is very quick over his hurdles.
“I’m very happy and it’ll be a good race at Cheltenham all being well.”
Most read in Horse Racing
De Bromhead played his cards close to his chest when asked about Honeysuckle’s future, but owner Kenny Alexander hinted it could be the end of the road for the dual Champion Hurdle winner.
He said: “Maybe the time has come. I backed her today because I thought she’d win but she isn’t as good as she was.
“She owes us absolutely nothing and I dread anything happening to her, she’s been the horse of a lifetime and she is in one piece.
“We will have discussions and if Henry and Rachael want to go for the Mares at Cheltenham then we’d go for it, but we will see.”
Earlier on the card, Mullins’ Gentleman De Mee lowered the colours of 1-4 jolly Blue Lord in the Dublin Chase.
The 15-2 shot had too many gears for the odds-on favourite and put himself right in the picture for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
He was slashed in 8-1 from 50-1 with William Hill, while Blue Lord was eased out to 6s having been as short as 5-2.
Mullins said: “I was surprised he was able to beat Blue Lord but he is a very talented horse.
“He really impressed me today and he has earned a crack at the Champion Chase.”
Mighty Potter cemented his position at the head of the betting for the Turners’ at Cheltenham with an easy Grade 1 win.
He jumped like an old pro under comeback king Davy Russell before quickening away on the run-in, and he is now a general 6-4 for his Festival target.
But the Facile Vega bubble was burst in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle when he trailed home in last behind 14-1 winner Il Etait Temps.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
