Honeysuckle aims for Listed prize at Thurles Honeysuckle looks a filly with a bright future and can continue her move through the ranks in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Saturday. She was a wide-margin winner of her point-to-point at Dromahane, before slamming subsequent winner Moskovite in a mares’ maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month. It is notable she holds an entry in the Grade Three Irish Independent Hurdle at Limerick over Christmas. Henry de Bromhead’s charge is due to face four rivals, including the teak-tough Rovetta who has been mixing Flat and National Hunt racing to great effect for Jessica Harrington. Rovetta’s stablemate Moonshine Bay ought to come on plenty from his chasing debut in Fairyhouse at the start of the month. It is more than reasonable to see him improving on fourth place when he contests the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. The form of Gunfire Reef’s victory in Punchestown has been franked, so he could defy an 8lb hike in the Molony Cup Handicap Chase. Fairymount Boy would not be winning the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase out of turn, having been placed in his last four outings. Like An Open Book’s close third over course and distance in November puts her right in contention for the Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Hurdle over two miles. Stay Humble has winning form over three miles so might regain a winning thread in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle over an extended two miles and seven furlongs. Road Warrior did not trouble the judge in his two point-to-points, but he went off favourite on both occasions and is well worth a market check on racecourse debut for Noel Meade in the Fogarty Concrete (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
