There were no travelling fans at Cheltenham last March to see Ireland win all but five of the 28 races but there was a sense here on Sunday of the atmosphere that surely awaits next month, as a string of Ireland’s major contenders prepared for the Festival with effortless victories.
Honeysuckle, whose climb to the top of the hurdling division has largely unfolded in front of empty stands, even got a cheer as she cantered to post for the Irish Champion Hurdle and, while few in the crowd would have seen much point in backing her at 1-5, the reception for Rachael Blackmore’s mount after an easy six-and-a-half-length success was long and loud. On this form there is little chance that Honeysuckle will, in the Champion Hurdle on 15 March, surrender what is now a 14-race unbeaten record and every sign she could still be getting better.
