3.30 2m. 87yds. 10 Declared. Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £450,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €253,215.00 2nd - €95,400.00 3rd - €47,745.00 4th - €23,850.00 5th - €11,970.00 6th - €5,985.00 7th - €2,970.00 8th - €1,530.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - It's hard to see any horse dethroning HONEYSUCKLE who has looked a class apart in this division in the last couple of years. She has followed the same path into this as last year with Grade 1 victories in the Hatton's Grace and Irish Champion Hurdle and looks as good, if not even better, than last season. It's impossible to pick any holes in her form and it would be a major shock on the opening day if she didn't collect her second win in this race. The unknown quantity in the race is Appreciate It and it will be fascinating to see how he measures up. The Jeremy gelding hasn't been seen since routing his field in the Supreme Novices here 12 months ago and it remains to be seen how good he is. A lengthy absence would be a concern hailing from most yards but Willie Mullins has produced horses to score off long breaks here on several occasions. Teahupoo is another potential improver in the field who could be place material. He was impressive when winning the Red Mills Hurdle last month and while this is a serious step up now we probably haven't seen the best yet of the five-year-old.