THE brilliant Honeysuckle was officially the best hurdler in Britain or Ireland last season but her rating of 165 is only 1lb ahead of a trio of fellow Irish-trained stars on 164, Sharjah, Flooring Porter and Klassical Dream.

Andrew Mealor, BHA hurdle team leader, said: “The hurdling scene in 2020/’21 was dominated by the Irish who were responsible for the highest-rated horses in each distance category, including in the novice division. The star of the season was undoubtedly Honeysuckle (165) whose dominant display in the Champion Hurdle was the highlight of another unbeaten campaign.