Unbeaten Honeysuckle could clash with rising star Constitution Hill at the Punchestown Festival later this month, trainer Nicky Henderson revealed earlier today.
The two superstars were the talk of the town after their Cheltenham Festival wins last month - and now talk has turned to a mouthwatering clash in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
At last month's festival, Constitution Hill seemed to have kicked for home too early in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, however, he maintained an unrelenting pace in the final straight, winning by a staggering 22 lengths.
In doing so, the five-year-old smashed Annie Power's track record and left some comparing his run to Golden Cygnet's famous triumph in 1978.
A couple of hours later, Honeysuckle - with Rachael Blackmore onboard - won her second consecutive Champion Hurdle, making it 15 out of 15 for the imperious mare.
Despite that, Constitution Hill had clock-watcher's purring when winning over the same distance as Honeysuckle - nearly six seconds quicker while carrying 4lb more.
That led owner Michael Buckley into thinking he would love to have a crack at the unbeaten Honeysuckle in her own backyard.
But Henderson is less sold on the idea, given his youngster has only had three races under rules in his career.
"We're entering for both the novice and the Champion and Michael Buckley and I will sit down next week to decide which way we go," Henderson told Sky Sports Racing this morning.
"I think everybody knows who wants to go where. I'm more conservative than Michael, put it like that.
"I'm all for keeping novices in novice company. He's only five. That is not to say it's an impossibility. I know Michael is dying to have a crack at Honeysuckle, I just feel there is plenty of time for that to happen."
