LEOPARDSTOWN 15:10 404l25

Non Runners: KLASSICAL DREAM (FR). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 50.1s Closing Sectional: (5.4f): 74.6s (104.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 126%, Betfair SP 98.4%

Not exactly a rich source of Champion Hurdle winners in recent years, Hurricane Fly in 2013 the last one to complete the double, and this latest renewal wasn't quite so informative as it promised to be, the withdrawal of last year's Supreme winner Klassical Dream and a below-par effort from Sharjah taking some of the gloss off the form, Honeysuckle getting the job done but not before giving her growing legion of ers a few anxious moments, one stepping out of novice company pushing her all the way the line; the pace was little better than fair, a point borne out by the fact that the rank outsider, Ballycaines, was still with the main body of the field 3 out.

HONEYSUCKLE back down in trip and on a left-handed track for the first time under Rules, extended her winning sequence with a performance that caused few ripples in the Champion Hurdle market, no more than workmanlike on the day, class getting her through; tracked pace, travelled well, went on early in straight, headed when awkward last, found extra; more will be required at Cheltenham - assuming, of course, that she takes her chance in the Champion Hurdle rather than the David Nicholson - but it is entirely possible that the best is yet to come.

DARVER STAR (IRE) tackling open Grade 1 company for the first time, showed much improved form and paid a handsome compliment to Envoi Allen into the bargain; chased leaders, ridden entering straight, closed all the way to the line; remains to be seen if able to back this up.

PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) confirmed that he is back to his very best and briefly looked like he was going to win for the first time over hurdles since taking this contest in 2017; made running, headed approaching last, led again briefly run-in, no extra only dying strides.

SUPASUNDAE a previous winner of this race (runner-up to Apple's Jade last year), shaped as if retaining all ability on his first start for 9 months; mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, kept on, never landed a blow.

ARAMON (GER) ran much better than last time without carrying any sort of win threat, not up to this grade; dropped out, took closer order before 2 out, kept on, never landed a blow.

SHARJAH (FR) can have a line put through this run, clearly not 100% on the day; chased leaders, not always fluent, ridden 2 out, soon done with; type to bounce back quickly and won't be one to dismiss lightly if lining up at Cheltenham.

MONSIEUR LECOQ (FR) has yet to prove he belongs at this level in 2 tries of late; mid-division, ridden before 2 out, beaten when mistake last.

SAGLAWY (FR) faced a stiff task in this grade but is best not judged on this run; patiently ridden, still plenty to do but yet to be asked for effort when chance-ending mistake 2 out, not recover.

BALLYCAINES (IRE) fit from the Flat, was hopelessly out of depth on his first start over jumps since ing this yard; held up, lost touch soon after 3 out.