On Tuesday, both Honeysuckle and Constitution Hill were among 17 entries for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 14—a step closer to the highly anticipated contest.
Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, is unbeaten and won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 22 lengths over stablemate Jonbon, arguably the festival’s best performance.
Honeysuckle, who suffered her first defeat at Fairyhouse last month in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, may complete her sensational career with a hat trick in the feature on day one of the festival.
Willie Mullins, who may also be represented by Vauban, Sir Gerhard, Sharjah, and Echoes In Rain, has entered State Man as one of Constitution Hill’s greatest threats.
The number of entries for the 2m12f competition at this stage last year was 23; this year, there were only 17 entries.
Honeysuckle is still running in the Mares’ Hurdle, but Epatante is not there.
After Marie’s Rock was one of 24 horses entered, Henderson will also have a leading contender in the Mares’ Hurdle. Honeysuckle is also in the running, despite connections favouring the Champion Hurdle once more.
With an emphatic victory in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham, Marie’s Rock is the ante-post favourite to retain the Mares’ crown she won last year at odds of 18-1.
Epatante, her stablemate, was omitted by Henderson from the 2m4f Grade 1 entries, but she could be added later. Additionally, she is entered in the Champion Hurdle.
With Grade 1 winners Brandy Love and Echoes In Rain entered, Mullins is expected to hold a strong hand, and he may also be represented by Shewearsitwell, Braganza, and Gauloise. Mullins has won this race nine times since it was first introduced in 2008, six of those victories coming with Quevega.
Porter is flooring in pursuit of a Stayers hat trick.
Flooring Porter, who leads a field of 28 for the day-three highlight, will attempt to win the Stayers’ Hurdle for the third time in a row.
Home By The Lee, a fellow Irish raider who has defeated Flooring Porter twice this season, will present the eight-year-old, who is trained by Gavin Cromwell, with a formidable obstacle.
After winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in style last month, Joseph O’Brien’s team is 6-1 with most companies.
It is anticipated that Paisley Park will also compete for Emma Lavelle. Paisley Park has finished third to Flooring Porter in this race the past two years. On Boxing Day, the veteran showed off his class by winning the Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton.
Champ, who won the Newbury Long Distance Hurdle over Paisley Park, was not entered.
The number of entries for the Stayers’ Hurdle has decreased since 2022, when 33 entries were received.
Entry lists in full
Champion Hurdle (17)
Bob Olinger
Constitution Hill
Echoes In Rain
Epatante
First Street
Honeysuckle
I Like To Move It
Jason The Militant
Knappers Hill
Love Envoi
Not So Sleepy
Pied Piper
Sharjah
Sir Gerhard
State Man
Vauban
Zanahiyr
Mares’ Hurdle (24)
Ailie Rose
Anna Bunina
Bop Bop Bobbin
Braganza
Brandy Love
Echoes In Rain
Gauloise
Get A Tonic
Holly Hartingo
Honeysuckle
Indefatigable
Lady Adare
Love Envoi
Marada
Marie’s Rock
Midnight Ginger
Molly Ollys Wishes
Queens Brook
Royale Margaux
Santa Rossa
Shewearsitwell
Skyace
Telmesomethinggirl
West Balboa
Stayers’ Hurdle (28)
Ashdale Bob
Asterion Forlonge
Beacon Edge
Blazing Khal
Botox Has
Buzz
Chacun Pour Soi
Dashel Drasher
Flooring Porter
Gelino Bello
Goshen
Haut En Couleurs
Hewick
Home By The Lee
Indefatigable
Klassical Dream
Langer Dan
Marie’s Rock
Monkfish
Paisley Park
Saint Sam
Sams Profile
Sharjah
Sir Gerhard
Sire Du Berlais
Summerville Boy
Teahupoo
Zanahiyr
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