Racing
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – 2021 Preview
On Sunday, all eyes will be on Fairyhouse as Honeysuckle makes her seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Honeysuckle is a perfect 12 from 12, including success in this race the last twice, plus this year’s Champion Hurdle, Irish Champion Hurdle, and Punchestown Champion Hurdle. She’s set to take on nine rivals on Sunday and we’ve taken a closer look at all the runners for Sunday’s unmissable Hatton’s Grace Hurdle clash.
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle 2021 Preview
Abacadabras
Abacadabras is Gordon Elliott’s leading chance here and it was a mixed Spring for the Gigginstown owned horse.
He fell in the Champion Hurdle before beating Buzz in the Aintree Hurdle and then placing a distant 4th in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle behind Honeysuckle – a similar result looks on the cards here.
Darasso
Darasso is happy over fences and hurdles and he’s enjoyed a strong autumn over the smaller obstacles – placing 2nd behind Saldier at Tipperary before winning the Lismullen Hurdle from Sire Du Berlais.
He’ll have conditions to suit on Sunday but he’s yet to win a Grade 1 contest and he looks to be chasing place money only here.
Latest Exhibition
Latest Exhibition hasn’t been seen over hurdles since chasing home Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival but he does boast some top-class form over the smaller obstacles. If he runs to the best of his form he should be in the mix for the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle but, once again, it’s a big ask to see him being good enough to beat Honeysuckle.
Ronald Pump
Ronald Pump was carried out on his sword in last year’s Hatton’s Grace when finishing just half a length behind Honeysuckle. He’s back for another go at her this year but he’s on a long losing run now – he’s not been successful over hurdles since April 2019.
Saldier
Saldier was 15 lengths behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle in March but arrives here in superb form having won his last two races, including the Galway Hurdle.
He looks the best chance of victory for trainer Willie Mullins but he’s yet to win over a trip this far and it would take a career-best effort to see him reverse the Champion Hurdle form with Honeysuckle.
Sams Profile
Sams Profile is lightly-raced and has been switching between fences and hurdles in recent months, and was successful in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran back in January.
He returned with a disappointing effort over fences at the end of last month but the switch to the smaller obstacles will suit but he needs to step up on what he’s shown so far if he’s to be in the mix for the 2021 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
Sire Du Berlais
Sire Du Berlais is a top-class staying hurdler having won the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 and chasing home Flooring Porter in this year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. He’s yet to win a Grade 1 contest, though, and over Sunday’s trip, he is likely to find himself struggling to live with the pace.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is one of the best horses in training in the UK and Ireland and she’s won this race in 2019 and 2020. She dominated the hurdles division last season, landing four Grade 1’s over three different distances and she’s the one they all have to beat once more on Sunday.
Skyace
Skyace won a Grade 1 mares’ contest at Fairyhouse back in April but has struggled for four since then – falling in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and then pulling up in the Galway Hurdle.
She returned with a lacklustre run at Fairyhouse at the start of this month when finishing last of four and she looks one to swerve on current form.
Stormy Ireland
It’s been a decent 2021 for Stormy Ireland, winning the Grade 2 Exchange Hurdle over this course and distance in April before strolling to victory in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
She has conditions to suit on Sunday but at the ratings, she has plenty to find if she’s to defeat Honeysuckle and land the 2021 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
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