14:30 Fairyhouse

Sunday 4 December 2022

All11:5512:2512:5513:2513:5514:3015:0515:35

Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 10.90s

Ashdale Bob²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 152| CD

20/1

Smart hurdler. C&D winner. Respectable 12 lengths third of 9 to Home By The Lee in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft, 13/2) 21 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 73232-3

Darver Star^b,t⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 149| D

22/1

Smart hurdler. 3 wins from 4 runs this season. 5/4, didn't need to be at best when winning 5-runner minor event hurdle at Punchestown (18f, good) 54 days ago, easing clear. This is no easy ask though.

Form: 57-2111

Klassical Dream^h¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163

5/1

High-class hurdler. 37/10, creditable 7 lengths second of 8 to Hermes Baie in Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil at Auteuil (25.4f, soft), travelling strongly. Off 6 months. Yard having good spell so holds good place claims.

Form: 1/1451-2

Saldier^b¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

66/1

Smart hurdler. 7¾ lengths third of 4 to State Man in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 25/1) 14 days ago. Stable in good form but has plenty to find on form.

Form: 115P6-3

Sire Du Berlais^b,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| D

66/1

Very smart hurdler. Below form 20 lengths fifth of 9 to Home By The Lee in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft, 22/1) 21 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: P4014-5

Teahupoo²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| C

20/1

Smart hurdler. Course winner. 24½ lengths last of 6 to Honeysuckle in Punchestown Champion Hurdle at Punchestown (16f, good to soft, 12/1). Off 7 months. Up in trip with more needed.

Form: 2/11106-

Echoes In Rain^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| C

9/1

Smart hurdler. 6/1, creditable second of 30 in handicap at the Curragh (16.6f, soft) 70 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Back up in trip. Yard in good form so this course winner can't be dismissed.

Form: 1/34352-

Honeysuckle²¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165| CD

4/11

Top-class hurdler who landed Champion Hurdle for second time at Cheltenham in March and signed off last term with win in Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Remains unbeaten in this sphere and she looks very hard to beat on her seasonal return in her bid for a fourth success in this event.

Form: 11/1111-

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (4/11), Klassical Dream (5/1), Echoes In Rain (9/1), Teahupoo (20/1), Ashdale Bob (20/1), Darver Star (22/1), Sire Du Berlais (66/1), Saldier (66/1)

HONEYSUCKLE makes her eagerly-awaited return and it's very hard to envisage anything other than a comfortable success for Henry de Bromhead's unbeaten and top-class mare as she bids for a superb fourth straight victory in this event. Wille Mullins saddles three and his pair of Klassical Dream and Echoes In Rain appeal as the duo to chase home the favourite.