Hopes dashed within the conflict of desires between Supreme Novices winner Structure Hill and undefeated Hurdler Honeysuckle champ in Bunchestown.
The race between bounce racing’s greatest star and hottest in coaching started earlier this month when Structure Hill proprietor Michael Buckley gave his five-year-old son entry to the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in addition to the equal rookie.
It got here after a devastating efficiency within the senior entry-level hurdles, defeating the following Aintree winner and fellow stablemate Jonbon by 22 lengths on the Cheltenham Fest.
Honeysuckle wipes the final within the champion hurdles forward of Epatant
However regardless of a £100,000 bounty provided by Paddy Energy if a British horse defeats Honeysuckle within the race, Nicky Henderson’s crew can’t be tempted and confirmed on Monday they’ve secured their final Tour of the season.
Proprietor Michael Buckley instructed Sky Sports activities Racing’s Matt Chapman: “I noticed him this weekend, and I feel Nicky Henderson and I are proper.
“He appears to be like field-ready in the meanwhile.”
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Matt Chapman and Jamie Lynch of Sky Sports activities Racing argue the case that Honeysuckle’s mares allowance has develop into a Class 1 handicap.
Nicky Henderson additionally instructed Nick Luck podcast: “We have been enjoying and meditating for a great two weeks now. It was very tempting however we had the horse all prepared for Cheltenham. Thoughts you it is nonetheless a giant, very uncooked, five-year. He solely had three. Races in his life, and his future could be very massive.
“I feel he could possibly be a greater, extra constructed and stronger horse in a 12 months and I would quite end every part effectively in entrance of him. There may be on a regular basis on this planet to fulfill Honeysuckle and hopefully will probably be in March.
“Structure Hill will certainly keep above the hurdles. He may have a correct marketing campaign subsequent season however going on the market and doing it in opposition to what’s undoubtedly an excellent mare was not one thing in his or her greatest pursuits.”
Epatante completed effectively over its opponents within the Aintree Hurdle
Nevertheless, Henderson additionally added that the second Epatante Champion Hurdle can nonetheless present the honeysuckle with its most severe menace, whereas the Mares’ Hurdle profitable Mares’ Rock can run a medium distance.
“It’s potential that Epatant will work although,” Henderson added. “She’s going there. There is a two-and-a-half-mile hitch for the mares and the Rock Mary will run into it, whereas the Ipatanti might go any course but.”
