Races
Punchestown Report: Honeysuckle remains unbeaten under Rachael Blackmore
A review of the final two days at the Punchestown Festival, including the remarkable Honeysuckle remaining unbeaten
Wonder mare Honeysuckle maintained her undefeated record for Henry de Bromhead in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday afternoon.
The two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, who easily landed the odds at Prestbury Park in March, once again saw off Sharjah and Epatante, this time in County Kildare, and secured a thirteenth win in the process.
Following his remarkable exploits in Gloucestershire and in the Grand National, it proved to be the only winner of the fixture for De Bromhead, with his reliable representative coming up with the goods once again.
Festival leading trainer Willie Mullins, on the other hand, ensured his domination continued back across the Irish Sea, landing 19 winners across the five days to claim yet another prize.Asterion Forlonge secured a first win in handicap company under Bryan Cooper on a great day for Joe and Marie Donnelly, with Galliard Du Mesnil picking up another Grade 1 success in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, following the late withdrawal of Bob Olinger.
Paul Nicholls claimed a second victory at the meeting with Bob And Co taking the Irish Daily Star Champion Hunters Chase under David Maxwell, denying Billaway in the dying stages.
On Saturday, Scottish Grand National third Mister Fogpatches went two places better in the Colm Quinn BWM Group Handicap Chase for Danny Mullins, before the pilot steered Stormy Island to victory in the Mares Champion Hurdle.
The seven-year-old daughter of Motivator has now won back-to-back races since rejoining the Closutton yard.
Boodles Juvenile winner Jeff Kidder completed a superb Festival treble, taking the Champion Four Year Old having won at Fairyhouse in April.
