tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 4th, niggled along 4 out, ridden in 5th after 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
held up, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out, no impression in 4th last, kept on run-in to go 3rd last strides
led, 6-length advantage early, reduced lead after 4th, mistake 5th, ridden and pressed after 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, lost 3rd last strides
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no extra entering straight
held up in rear, progress on outer 2 out, 3rd entering straight, ridden into 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, closer in 2nd after 4th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led entering straight, kept on strongly run-in
The brilliant HONEYSUCKLE won this a year ago following her Champion Hurdle success and has continued in imperious form, beating former champion and subsequent Aintree Hurdle winner Epante at Cheltenham last month for her 15th consecutive victory under Rules. She had Saint Roi seven lengths in fourth and Adagio a further eight lengths behind at the Festival and is impossible to oppose. Teahupoo, who had Darasso eleven lengths behind at Gowran earlier, didn't run his race and finished last in the Champion Hurdle and is best with plenty of give in the ground.
Adagio (GER) 28-1 (11-10) Held up in rear on outside, some headway after 5th, still towards rear but in touch when blundered 3 out, outpaced after, well beaten from 2 out, 8th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Darasso (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, travelled well and led before 2 out, pushed along and asserted approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Santa Rossa (10-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Saint Roi (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, pushed along and effort when pushed right after 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake next, soon outpaced, went 4th and stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Teahupoo (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closed 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, behind from 2 out, last of 10, 32 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, raced keenly, some headway when not fluent and slightly hampered 2 out, lost place and soon bumped, switched right before last and closed, unable to make any impression, kept on, 5th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Marie's Rock (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Honeysuckle 8-11fav (11-3) In touch in mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, switched towards inside from after 5th, challenged 2 out, soon led, quickened from home bend, stayed on well and clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Epatante (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
