RACHAEL BLACKMORE has let her rivals know they are in more misery at Cheltenham Festival thanks to the unbeatable Honeysuckle.
The superstar duo swept all before them last year as Honeysuckle sauntered to her first Champion Hurdle title.
No one has been able to catch Blackmore and Honeysuckle
It looks like there will be more of the same this time round, with Henry de Bromhead’s stable star already as short as 2-5 to defend her crown.
Honeysuckle, owned by Kenny Alexander, is a perfect 14 for 14 in her career.
Crowds filed in just to catch a glimpse of her and Grand National icon Blackmore when they most recently teamed up at Leopardstown earlier this month.
Fans were banned from attending last year’s Festival.
But Blackmore, 32, reckons those on this side of the Irish Sea will get to cheer her once more in a fortnight’s time.
She said: “To get that victory on Honeysuckle on day one last year was absolutely massive.
“To win a Champion Hurdle was such a pinnacle for me and it’s a great help when something like that happens on a Tuesday, it takes the pressure off for the rest of the week.
“Honeysuckle has never let me down to this day and I can’t see why this year would be any different.”
Appreciate It, last year’s Supreme winner, is Honeysuckle’s nearest challenger at a best-price 10-3.
Barring that you’re looking at Teahupoo at 7s and Nicky Henderson’s Epatante at 10-1 to try to cause an upset.
As it is, then, the best value might come in the betting without Honeysuckle market.
Blackmore, who was crowned top jockey at last year’s Festival, is behind Paul Townend in the market for best rider this year.
Willie Mullins’ No 1 is 4-5 with Coral for the honour, with Blackmore 7-2.
Mullins himself is 4-11 to be top trainer and Gordon Elliott behind him at 3-1.
Blackmore will be supported by a large group of friends and family travelling over, who she says have been pestering her for tickets.
She said: “My sister asked me for tickets for Thursday and Friday and when I asked how many she said 10 for each!
“She’s coming over with a battalion and my mum and dad will hopefully be over for a day as well.
“I’m in a very lucky position in that I’ve got lots of great horses to ride – so I can’t wait to get back to Cheltenham.”
