Honeysuckle will not defend her Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham after connections announced she would have the final start of her illustrious career in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival instead.
The brilliant mare was beaten for the second time this season, and only the second time in her career, when runner-up to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, a race she had won in the previous three years.
Immediate retirement was also being considered by owner Kenny Alexander and trainer Henry de Bromhead.
