HONEYSUCKLE remains unbeaten with victory in the 2020 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle - Racing TV

Unbeaten in seven previous starts, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle prevailed in a box renewal of the Mares' Hurdle as she galloped clear of the great Benie Des Dieux for a brilliant and memorable success.
Benie Des Dieux appeared to be travelling strongest of all but Honeysuckle quickened the better of the two rounding the home turn to steal the advantage under a race-winning move from Rachael Blackmore, and try as she might, Benie Des Dieux could not get back on terms in the straight, with half-a-length separating the pair at the line.
Blackmore said afterwards: 'This means so much, this mare is so special. They've done an unbelievable job with her, Henry has produced her in tip-top shape every time she runs, so I'm just the lucky one that gets to steer her round. She's unbelievable.
This is the official KZbin channel of Racing TV.

Racing TV is the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Subscribe to Racing TV's free KZbin channel and get closer to the sport we all love. We will bring you unmissable moments from the world of racing, exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows. So, if you love horse racing, this is the KZbin channel for you ► bit.ly/2RHbyMa

You can also find us on Sky 426, Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland) or Freeview 261. Click here to find out more - t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm

Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com, the iPhone iPad app, Android app and mobile website. Click here to download the app - t.co/CwcklwUMHs

[@bensouthwell1339]

she waited her time and nipped thru when the split came it was always gonna come going to the last. Townend thought he had it but she was on the quicker horse on the day, in my eyes she got it bang on right and he got mugged up the hill please please give her the credit, brains over brawn.

[@suemaher5282]

U summed it up perfectly. Rachel is getting the credit she deserves.She has a racing brain like Ruby. The strength she has is amazing too. Maybe now people will see this jockey is brilliant.

[@bensouthwell1339]

@@suemaher5282 I just wish she could/should ride more in U.K. after all we have a lot of *duff* jockeys over here...A top job awaits her over here too.

[@suemaher5282]

@@bensouthwell1339 After watching cheltenham I realise u r so right about jockeys. The festival showed how bad some are. The ride Rachel gave Honeysuckle stood out.

[@samsonpug]

Wayne Hutchinson inspired me to back Honeysuckle. Bragging about his ante post bet on Bene was bound to end in tears. Hope you ain’t skint mate.

[@ronanthompson6722]

You simply love to see it

[@pittyfool]

What a race and what a ride by Rachael. I think Tony Mullins is right when he says she’s the best Female jockey of all time and it’s not even very close

[@chrisdoyle3464]

Willie wasn't too happy with Robbie after that... ha

[@andrewnelis9791]

Great ride by Rachel blackmore on Honeysuckle

[@uhegbu]

This race of course features a future champion and what a mare. Honeysuckle fought off Benie Des Dieux in another Festival treat.

[@garykey5590]

Fantastic miss Blackmore, you showed the male jockeys how it's done, cheers

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

Three cheers for Robbie popeye Power :)) for lettin Rach break on through! yoooo whooooooooo up ya boyo!

[@felixlieter1429]

I think Robbie thought Elfile was Honeysuckle the way he edged right coming round the bend. Similar colours.

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

We've had Byrony, Hayley, Hollie , Nina and we've seen ALOT of Lizzy :P maybe too much......but surely the best/greatest of the whole lot is Rachel Blackmore, she rides so well she must be packin a set of balls in secret :P this was an Amazing ride, ride of the meeting so far......

[@pittyfool]

WESSERPARAQUAT she’s the best female jockey we’ve seen

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

@@pittyfool Yes indeed Alex , she is fabulous , a fantastic Sports Woman deserves all her success and it is great to see, she is a massive advertisement for National hunt racing she's as hard as nails

[@kyzatheref]

Rachel handed the race by Power. Anyone who thinks different is on another planet.

[@pittyfool]

Kyle Wilson honeysuckle is just better over this distance she’s faster and this is her distance. Best mare in training and she’s only 6 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@kevclare]

Talking through your pockets lol

[@Kevjohno]

3 mullins horses and they went a crawl suiting honeysuckle then the gap parted like the red Sea ..do me a favor ..

[@bensouthwell1339]

could not agree more the girl and her brain won the race thats what racing is all about

[@Nautilus1972]

The clueless are all digging out Townend - he was there in time, beaten by the better horse. You picked the wrong horse. You picked a three miler over a speed horse, get over it.

[@bensouthwell1339]

sshhhh they will blame you next...for moving your opinion off the rail...I agree with you and i never had a bet in the race

[@pittyfool]

Fact

[@dominicthespacemandale6738]

100% benie got to her but then she pushed on again..The better horse clearly won

[@rory6089]

The better jockey won the race, pure and simple! Mullins can blame Power all he wants, but Townend should have been patient and waited for a gap! If Rachel had been on BDD, Benie would have won. I'm just sick that Honeysuckle didn't run in the Champion, all my antiposts would have been up!

[@Nautilus1972]

Wouldn't have beaten Epatante.

[@bensouthwell1339]

Food for thought

[@adamhumphries9875]

@@Nautilus1972 she will this time however

[@MrFlorence22]

Given how similar the colours where, if you think Robbie let Honeysuckle up his inside on purpose, its not difficult to see why !!. The bottom line is the best horse won on the day...stop looking for excuses Willie and Ruby. You thought you had the best mare in the race, but you didn't....credit to Rachael.

[@samsonpug]

Great ride. But the better horse won. 2 horse race and the one sent off heavily odds on loses. Happens every year.

[@hassanmagee1279]

Dick

[@samsonpug]

And again today Easyland beats Tiger Roll. Same happens race after race.

[@samsonpug]

And again. 2nd fav beats the odds on as Politilogue wins a substandard Champion Chase. Honeysuckle Easyland Politilogue. I backed them all eachway.

[@samsonpug]

And Paisley Park unplaced. The bookies love Cheltenham. Don’t worry I backed Apples Jade who went off at an insane pace and was just behind Paisley.

[@johnjones1722]

athereyareagain

[@Kevjohno]

They sure are ..richie layed that on the exchanges. ...they ran the race to suit the other mare ....went a steady pace and the gap that opened was comical

[@johnjones1722]

blackmore stole it at the turn

[@tomtheeagle1]

Won it at the turn!

[@bensouthwell1339]

yep and its called horsemanship wait wait and then go her horse was faster and she knew it.

[@smartyjones8391]

lol People claiming Townsend is a shit jockey. Most people know jackshit about racing

[@gavinanderson9655]

Townend given that a right shocker

[@tomtheeagle1]

Nonsense. The winner got a better ride. That's all.

[@scouserdan3]

@@tomtheeagle1 because of the jockey.... don't contradict yourself

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@scouserdan3 How am I contradicting myself? I would have needed to make two differing statements. i just stated the obvious. I fear Gavin is talking through his pockets and has never ridden a horse in his life!

[@Kevjohno]

That's a walking contradiction if ever I heard one ...sometimes it's best to say nothing

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@Kevjohno Who is that addressed to?

[@jasonmcdaid2200]

Simple fact honeysuckle is better

[@hassanmagee1279]

No chance

[@jasonmcdaid2200]

@@hassanmagee1279 haha watch the race chief Bennie lost fair and square

[@hassanmagee1279]

Bennie lost 2 lenghs and lost by half a length , don’t care now I’m over it , my new headache was defi had £170 win at 2/1 shocking

[@jasonmcdaid2200]

@@hassanmagee1279 but u also forgetting mullins had the tactics of 3 riders against honeysuckle and she was shuffled back twice If they meet again esp with townend on board result will be the same

[@mattbrisley1978]

The worse ride in history...goes to...paul townsend

[@bensouthwell1339]

NO... the best ride in history goes to....Rach.....

[@hassanmagee1279]

Daylight robbery how did Bennie not win that????terible ride Paul Townsend is a crap jokey

[@bensouthwell1339]

Paul is a very good Jockey, He was simply beaten by an even better jockey

[@hassanmagee1279]

I don’t like him cost me £500 best horse didn’t win , in my opinion he’s shitttttttt

[@bensouthwell1339]

@@hassanmagee1279 and here is me thinking he is champion jockey over in Ireland

[@hassanmagee1279]

Anyone cud win on Mullins horses , he ain’t no ruby Walsh psl

[@smartyjones8391]

@@bensouthwell1339 lol at you claiming Rachel is a better Jockey than Townsend . Just stop

[@jamiehernandez8169]

Ruby would of won on Benie. Unless he was paid a bung to fall at the last from Paddy 😉

[@peterfloid7295]

Man Robbie power cost mullins this race lol