Foal Crop Figures

Willie Mullins loves a big race. Last month he took on Shishkin with Energumene in the Clarence House Chase, and next month he's got another showdown in store for us as he gets Appreciate It ready to face Honeysuckle in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival.

Appreciate It suffered a setback earlier this season which put his chasing career on hold. In fact, he has not been seen since his remarkable 24-length triumph in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year.

Ireland's 15-times Champion Trainer had the opportunity to take on the star mare in the Irish Champion Hurdle last week and would, again, have had the chance in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park next week. He has, instead, decided that the meeting of the two horses will wait, meaning that Appreciate It will return to Cheltenham after 364 days off the track.

Mullins said: ‘I'm not looking for a race for him really. There is the Red Mills at Gowran, but I'm happy to go straight to Cheltenham and I imagine that's what will happen.’

Jockey Paul Townend said: ‘He is the horse with all the potential. We don't know how good Honeysuckle is but I'm looking forward to having a go at her with something on a level that Appreciate It shows.’

The gelding is unbeaten over hurdles, winning all four of his starts as a novice last season. He has a rating of 160 which is 5lb shy of Honeysuckle who he will also concede a 7lb mares' allowance to.

Honeysuckle has won all 14 of her 14 races and has 10 Grade 1s to her name.

Connections of Appreciate It are keen to present Honeysuckle with a first career defeat.

I, myself, would like to see her flawless form upheld...

Who doesn't have a soft spot for a very good mare?