The history-making Honeysuckle could face one of the toughest battles of her career when she goes for an unprecedented fourth Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse next month. In order to claim the the Grade 1 she will have to defeat last year's Cheltenham Festival winners, Sir Gerhard and State Man who among the 15 entries for the contest and make it one of her toughest tasks yet.

Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple's Jade all won the Hatton's Grace three times, while the legendary Istabraq won it twice, but no horse has ever won it four times. That is yet another record Honeysuckle has her eyes on smashing if she can make it 17 wins out of 17 on Sunday, December 4th.

Seven of those 17 victories have come at Fairyhouse and Henry de Bromhead has said all roads lead back to her beloved County Meath track as she begins her journey to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March where she will try to emulate greats like Istabraq, See You Then, Persian War, Sir Ken and indeed Hatton's Grace by winning the hurdling showpiece for a fourth time.

Sir Gerhard was a brilliant winner of last season's Ballymore, while State Man won the County Hurdle, and that exciting pair are among six entries from the all-conquering Willie Mullins stable. The six-time Grade 1 winner Sharjah, Klassical Dream, Echoes In Rain and Saldier complete the potential challenge from Closutton.

Gordon Elliott has four entries, including last year's Champion Hurdle third Zanahiyr and Sire Du Berlais, who conquered Flooring Porter in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April.

Darver Star got as close to Honeysuckle as anyone when going down by just a half-a-length in the 2020 Irish Champion Hurdle and Gavin Cromwell's rejuvenated ten-year-old is set to take on the unbeaten wonder mare once again on the back of winning his last three outings in a row.

The Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase was won by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack in 2013 and Elliott has entered the hugely exciting Mighty Potter nine years on as he attempts to land the Grade 1 for a record-extending seventh time.

Other Elliott entries among the list of 24 possibles for the race include Three Stripe Life, Minella Crooner and Hollow Games.