Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has ordered his players to put all festive cheer on hold until after Saturday’s Serie A match at Frosinone.

Allegri’s side, who will be without the injured Federico Chiesa, are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games and ramp up the pressure on their title rivals.

Victory for Juve in the lunchtime kick-off will lift them to within a point of leaders Inter Milan, who host Lecce later on Saturday.

Allegri told a press conference: “Frosinone will be a tricky away match for various reasons. It is the last match before Christmas and in the festive season week, there is always a different atmosphere on and off the pitch.

“The thing we have to do (on Saturday) is play a match with great attention and concentration.”

Allegri is wary of Frosinone, who sit 13th in Serie A after former boss Fabio Grosso led them to automatic promotion in May.

Now under Eusebio Di Francesco, Frosinone have won five times in the top flight this season and will be brimming with confidence following their shock midweek 4-0 Coppa Italia win at Napoli.

Allegri added: “We face a side that has lost only one in eight home games, against Napoli, having even taken the lead on that occasion.

“Not only that, during the week they won 4-0 against Napoli and are experiencing a moment of great excitement, which is why the mental approach will be important first and foremost.

“We need to give a performance that I define as serious, the only way to then try to spend Christmas in the best possible way.”

Allegri confirmed Italy forward Chiesa (knee) did not travel with the squad, but France midfielder Adrien Rabiot will return to action after missing last week’s 1-1 draw at Genoa due to foot and side problems.

“I haven’t yet decided which players I will field in attack,” Allegri added. “There are three left – Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz and Arkadiusz Milik.

“We left Federico Chiesa at home due to a problem with his patellar tendon, where he feels some discomfort. It made no sense to take Federico along in those conditions.

“The important thing is to know that we have everyone else available, also because the result is too important – regardless of the players who take the field.

“As for Adrien Rabiot, he is available. He is well, he has recovered and is playing.”

Willie Mullins is considering a change of tactics for Galopin Des Champs when he clashes again with Fastorslow in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

The current Cheltenham Gold Cup champion has been beaten by Martin Brassil’s star on each of their last two meetings, in the Punchestown Gold Cup back in April and last month’s John Durkan Chase.

Galopin Des Champs finished a length-and-three-quarters back in third in their most recent contest, which was the seasonal reappearance for both runners – and Mullins is eager for a rematch.

“They moved the John Durkan back and our fella disappointed a little bit there,” he told Leopardstown Racecourse. “I’m not sure we got the right tactics that day and we might change things around a bit for this race.

“I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m quite happy with him at home.

“Three miles will suit him and it will suit the opposition. These horses want a trip, we’ll learn a little bit more about him there, I think.”

On the opening afternoon of the four-day meeting, Mullins will be expecting Facile Vega to continue his education over fences with a win in the Racing Post Novice Chase, with the six-year-old forecast to go off odds-on.

Mullins said: “Facile Vega was impressive (on his chasing debut) and the horse who fell in the race (Sa Fureur) when he was going to be placed came out and won the other day.

“The races are getting better all the time. He likes Leopardstown, he’s won there a couple of times, so it’s horses for courses, I hope.

“He’s got a wonderful, big stride, great scope for jumping and, a bit like his mother Quevega, a lot of natural talent. Hopefully, it brings him the whole way.”

It would appear Mullins is giving strong consideration to running both State Man and Impaire Et Passe in the Matheson Hurdle on December 29, although connections of the latter are considering the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

State Man won the Morgiana easily on his return and Mullins said: “He did what he had to do and did it well. I’m looking forward to getting him out again.

“It’s a track that he likes as well and I’m very pleased with him.

“Impaire Et Passe disappointed me a little in Fairyhouse (in the Hatton’s Grace), but I just think I had the wrong tactics with him and he’s another one that we might have to sharpen our tactics with, it might improve him.

“We’re coming back to two miles here rather than the two and a half in Fairyhouse.”

Willie Mullins is considering a change of tactics for Galopin Des Champs when he clashes again with Fastorslow in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

The current Cheltenham Gold Cup champion has been beaten by Martin Brassil’s star on each of their last two meetings, in the Punchestown Gold Cup back in April and last month’s John Durkan Chase.

Galopin Des Champs finished a length-and-three-quarters back in third in their most recent contest, which was the seasonal reappearance for both runners – and Mullins is eager for a rematch.

“They moved the John Durkan back and our fella disappointed a little bit there,” he told Leopardstown Racecourse. “I’m not sure we got the right tactics that day and we might change things around a bit for this race.

“I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m quite happy with him at home.

“Three miles will suit him and it will suit the opposition. These horses want a trip, we’ll learn a little bit more about him there, I think.”

On the opening afternoon of the four-day meeting, Mullins will be expecting Facile Vega to continue his education over fences with a win in the Racing Post Novice Chase, with the six-year-old forecast to go off odds-on.

Mullins said: “Facile Vega was impressive (on his chasing debut) and the horse who fell in the race (Sa Fureur) when he was going to be placed came out and won the other day.

“The races are getting better all the time. He likes Leopardstown, he’s won there a couple of times, so it’s horses for courses, I hope.

“He’s got a wonderful, big stride, great scope for jumping and, a bit like his mother Quevega, a lot of natural talent. Hopefully, it brings him the whole way.”

It would appear Mullins is giving strong consideration to running both State Man and Impaire Et Passe in the Matheson Hurdle on December 29, although connections of the latter are considering the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

State Man won the Morgiana easily on his return and Mullins said: “He did what he had to do and did it well. I’m looking forward to getting him out again.

“It’s a track that he likes as well and I’m very pleased with him.

“Impaire Et Passe disappointed me a little in Fairyhouse (in the Hatton’s Grace), but I just think I had the wrong tactics with him and he’s another one that we might have to sharpen our tactics with, it might improve him.

“We’re coming back to two miles here rather than the two and a half in Fairyhouse.”

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou will keep channelling his focus on problem-solving rather than allowing himself to get frustrated at the club’s growing list of absentees.

Spurs won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest last week, but finished the match with 10 men after Yves Bissouma was shown his second red card of the season.

Bissouma will be suspended for four matches and Destiny Udogie is banned for Saturday’s visit of Everton after he received his fifth caution of the campaign at the City Ground.

https://x.com/SpursOfficial/status/1738183568956748243

It adds to Postecoglou’s problems with Micky van de Ven, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur already ruled out until January while attackers Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon have been long-term absentees since September.

Postecoglou said: “I think it is important from my perspective that you don’t deal in the extreme because it is an emotional game. There are enough people who get emotional about these things so it doesn’t need me to add to that.

“My job in all of this is to ultimately find solutions rather than focus too much on the fall-out of any issues we’ve had because I guarantee you once we get all the players back, there will be something else.

“Like I said, it is important for the players and staff that they know through that process my role is to charter a way forward rather than focus on the fall-out from any challenges we may have.”

Bissouma faced criticism for his challenge on Forest midfielder Ryan Yates but Postecoglou has not felt the need to address discipline with him.

“People can say what they want but he has just mistimed a tackle. It is not like he has gone in dirty on anyone,” the Spurs boss added.

“I have always felt the best remedy is that if a guy feels he is missing out, then that kind of helps in that process of not letting it affect their game but also understanding the impact it can have.

“Always I kind of understand that they are all human beings and they will make mistakes, like all of us they are given the opportunity to learn from those mistakes.”

Postecoglou must now decide how best to replace Bissouma and while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has deputised for him at times this season, Oliver Skipp will get minutes in the defensive midfield role over the next week with games to come against Brighton and Bournemouth.

“Obviously we’ve had Pierre there and Biss, even Bentancur when he came back, so there is a fair bit of flexibility on who we use there,” Postecoglou explained.

“But Skippy can play at six and probably will play there.

“We have three games over the next week so he probably will get an opportunity at some point in that position.”

Tottenham have only lost one of their last 20 league meetings with Everton, but Sean Dyche’s team have been galvanised by a 10-point deduction for a breach of financial regulations in November.

The 16th-placed Toffees are one of the Premier League’s in-form clubs with seven wins from their last 10 fixtures.

Postecoglou concluded: “Sean’s done an outstanding job but when you get hit with something like that, it’s often a measure of the playing group and the manager how they respond to adversity and you’ve got to say the response has been first class.”

Paisley Park will try to match the great Baracouda’s record with a fourth triumph in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

The highly-popular 11-year-old first won the contest in 2018 and returned to the Berkshire track to reclaim his title in 2020 before landing a rescheduled 2022 running at Kempton last Christmas.

While Big Buck’s and Reve De Sivola were each three-time race winners, no horse has yet equalled the Francois Doumen-trained Baracouda, who won the race in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, as well as being beaten just a length into second in 2002.

Though now a veteran with 28 runs and 11 wins under his belt, the Emma Lavelle-trained Paisley Park looked to have lost none of his vim when lining up for the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury first time out this season.

He was beaten just a head by Jeremy Scott’s equally likeable Dashel Drasher, who reopposes on Saturday.

“He seems in great order at home and has done everything we have wanted since his last run and we’ll see,” said Lavelle.

“I was delighted with how he was at Newbury and these races take a lot of winning, so it is lovely to see so many of the old boys back again.

“He kept galloping, and that is what we wanted to see – and if he can keep doing that, and if his legs can go round fast enough, he will be giving it his all.

“We’re very much looking forward to running and seeing what happens. Hopefully, it can continue to be his favourite race.”

On the prospect of matching Baracouda’s record, Lavelle added: “It would be an extraordinary achievement, it really would.

“All we can do is hope and he’s just been the most remarkable horse for us. He certainly seems to be enjoying his racing the same as ever.”

Dan Skelton’s West Balboa was a winner on her seasonal debut when taking a class two hurdle over two and a half miles at Aintree in November.

The race was only contested by three horses, but 12 lengths behind her was Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm, a Grade Two winner, and 10 lengths behind him was Grade One-winning chaser Millers Bank.

This Ascot contest is a step up in grade and trip for the seven-year-old, but she is proven over the latter after winning the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle at Aintree on her final start last term.

“She’s in good form, she started off her season very well at Aintree,” said Skelton.

“She definitely deserves to be there and deserves her go at the top flight.

“It was a good run (at Aintree) and beating a good yardstick like Brewin’upastorm is a fine start to the season.

“With respect, this is harder and she’ll have to step up, but she’s a good mare.”

Nicky Henderson will be represented by Champ, the 2021 winner of the race who makes his seasonal debut in the contest after finishing fifth in the Liverpool Hurdle when last seen in spring.

Champ runs in the silks of owner JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: “He goes well fresh and Nicky and the team seem happy with him.

“He’s not getting any younger, but we’ll see how he goes.

“There’s a few younger ones coming along, but they’re very consistent those older horses and he’s in good form, so you’d be hoping for a good run.”

Paul Nicholls has a pair of contenders in Red Risk and the four-year-old Blueking D’Oroux.

Red Risk progressed from handicaps to finish second in the Grade Two bet365 Hurdle and will be ridden by Bryony Frost, with stable jockey Harry Cobden taking the ride on Coral Hurdle winner Blueking D’Oroux.

“He is an interesting contender and it’s encouraging that two four-year-olds have won this race in the past,” Nicholls said of the latter horse via Betfair.

“Trying this trip of three miles is a bit of a shot in the dark at this stage of his career and I’d be happier if he was a year older. But who knows how good he might be?

“He’s improving all the time and galloped on strongly all the way to the line in winning the Grade Two Coral Hurdle over two miles, three and a half furlongs at this track a month ago.”

Of Red Risk, the trainer added: “He ran a cracker on his seasonal debut at Wetherby, where he kept on in determined style to finish a close second behind Botox Has in the bet365 Hurdle, with two classy types behind him.

“That’s really smart form. Red Risk was only just touched off in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January and has the ability to run into a place.

Fergal O’Brien has a live chance in Crambo, last seen finishing third in a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock.

Though he was unable to get his head in front on that occasion, he still ran with plenty of promise – enough to encourage connections to take the step up to Grade One level.

“He carried an awful lot of weight at Haydock and beat some good horses,” O’Brien said of the run.

“On another day and with a bit more luck, he maybe would have won and we’re very happy with him.

“He has to step up but he’s trained very well since Haydock and we felt it’d be foolish not to give it a go, it will tell us a lot about where we want to go with him next.”

The Gary Moore duo of Botox Has and Goshen and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Gowel Road complete the line up.

The Christmas racing programme is always stuffed full of thrills, but this year sees any number of National Hunt heavyweights poised to take a starring role. We look forward to five of the most eyecatching contests in prospect over the next few days.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, Kempton, December 26

The Christmas showpiece is always an event to savour, but this year’s contest offers a level of intrigue, too. The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame beat the reopposing Royale Pagaille by 14 lengths in 2022, before going on to chase home Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This season has not gone to plan so far though, with defeats in both the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase – in which he was beaten by Venetia Williams’ Royale Pagaille – putting a slight question mark over his claims. Shishkin definitely has to answer a question after he refused to race at Ascot on his seasonal bow, leaving the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho seemingly in pole position. An impressive winner at Clonmel on his return from a 561-day injury lay-off, there is no doubting the Irish raider’s class, but can he avoid the dreaded ‘bounce’ factor in Sunbury?

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, Kempton, December 26

After the weather put a spanner in the works, Nicky Henderson will finally take the wraps off reigning two-mile champ Constitution Hill at Kempton. After a sterling novice season, the six-year-old made a seamless switch to full company and a 17-length win in this contest preceded a demolition job in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March. It will only be a small field at Kempton, with none of the contenders anywhere near Constitution Hill’s class, so if everything goes to plan, we will not learn too much – but we can hopefully enjoy a true superstar in action.

Racing Post Novice Chase, Leopardstown, December 26

Facile Vega was a headline horse even before he set foot on a track. A son of six-times Festival winner Quevega, by top-ranked jumps sire Walk In The Park, it was little surprise to see the Mullins-trained gelding cut a swathe through the bumper ranks before continuing his effortless progress in his first two starts over hurdles. The wheels came off in dramatic style at the Dublin Racing Festival though, when he raced with the choke out and stopped quickly, before having to settle for second best at Cheltenham and getting back on track at Punchestown. He emerged victorious on his chasing bow, but his jumping was certainly not flawless and it will be interesting to see if he is up to the task in tougher company.

Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase, Chepstow, December 27

The withdrawal of ante-post favourite Monbeg Genius prompted a market shake-up, with Jamie Snowden’s Super Survivor assuming the position at the top of the betting for what is one of the first real markers for the Grand National in April. Iwilldoit won the Welsh edition in 2021 and was among the leading lights for Aintree back in April but could not complete the qualifying criteria in time. A victory in this race would surely thrust him back into the spotlight, though it will be a tough test under top-weight in what is usually testing conditions at Chepstow, with the likes of recent Becher Chase winner Chambard in the mix.

Savills Chase, Leopardstown, December 28

This looks like being a proper Christmas blockbuster, with no less than three Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes set to cross swords. We have the reigning champion, Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs, facing up to his nemesis in Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow. A shock 20-1 winner in the Punchestown Gold Cup, Fastorslow proved that was no flash in the pan when beating Galopin Des Champs into third in the John Durkan on their respective returns. Add into the mix Gerri Colombe, rerouted from Kempton by Gordon Elliott due to concerns about the quicker King George ground. Beaten just once as a novice, he was merely workmanlike in winning Down Royal’s Champion Chase on his reappearance, so this could be something of an acid test for the young pretender.

Teenage sensation Luke Littler will ditch his Xbox for the practice board on Christmas Day as he bids to keep his World Championship dream alive.

The 16-year-old debutant has taken the tournament by storm and booked his spot in the third round with an impressive win over UK Open champion Andrew Gilding on Thursday night.

He will now head home to Runcorn for the festive period, but the usual fun and games after Christmas dinner will be replaced by a tough practice session.

“It’s been a crazy few days,” Littler, who last month won the World Youth Championship, told the PA news agency.

“Christmas is going to be very different. We’ll do the same thing a family always does and then when I finish my dinner I will get on the board for a good few hours.

“I would normally wait for the dinner to be cooked, go on the Xbox, call my mates, speak to them, but I’ll be on the board.”

The precocious player does not turn 17 until next month, but people are already talking about him as a possible champion.

He produced a record-breaking performance in his first-round win over Christian Kist, posting the highest three-dart average of any World Championship debutant with a stunning 106.

A winnable last-32 tie against Canadian Matt Campbell is next when the tournament resumes after Christmas and Littler is daring to dream, even if he thinks he has already over-achieved.

Asked whether he believes he can go all the way at Alexandra Palace, he said: “If my A-game is there I don’t see why not, but I have just got to beat what is in front of me.

“Loads of people are expecting me to win it, I am just happy to have won my first game. When I got back to the hotel after beating Christian Kist I said ‘let’s try and come back after Christmas’ and that’s what I have done, so I have overachieved this year.

“It is just unbelievable, I can’t wait to come back after Christmas. Being on stage has been amazing and I’ve loved the support, it’s unbelievable.”

Littler is also dreaming of a meeting with either Raymond van Barneveld or Michael van Gerwen in the latter stages of the tournament.

“I always looked up to Phil Taylor, Barney and Michael van Gerwen. It would be unbelievable to play one of those two,” he added.

“It would be a weird one, who the crowd would support, me or Barney or me or Van Gerwen, but I have just got to beat what is in front of me and hopefully I can meet one of those in the later stages.”

Teenage sensation Luke Littler will ditch his Xbox for the practice board on Christmas Day as he bids to keep his World Championship dream alive.

The 16-year-old debutant has taken the tournament by storm and booked his spot in the third round with an impressive win over UK Open champion Andrew Gilding on Thursday night.

He will now head home to Runcorn for the festive period, but the usual fun and games after Christmas dinner will be replaced by a tough practice session.

“It’s been a crazy few days,” Littler, who last month won the World Youth Championship, told the PA news agency.

“Christmas is going to be very different. We’ll do the same thing a family always does and then when I finish my dinner I will get on the board for a good few hours.

“I would normally wait for the dinner to be cooked, go on the Xbox, call my mates, speak to them, but I’ll be on the board.”

The precocious player does not turn 17 until next month, but people are already talking about him as a possible champion.

He produced a record-breaking performance in his first-round win over Christian Kist, posting the highest three-dart average of any World Championship debutant with a stunning 106.

A winnable last-32 tie against Canadian Matt Campbell is next when the tournament resumes after Christmas and Littler is daring to dream, even if he thinks he has already over-achieved.

Asked whether he believes he can go all the way at Alexandra Palace, he said: “If my A-game is there I don’t see why not, but I have just got to beat what is in front of me.

“Loads of people are expecting me to win it, I am just happy to have won my first game. When I got back to the hotel after beating Christian Kist I said ‘let’s try and come back after Christmas’ and that’s what I have done, so I have overachieved this year.

“It is just unbelievable, I can’t wait to come back after Christmas. Being on stage has been amazing and I’ve loved the support, it’s unbelievable.”

Littler is also dreaming of a meeting with either Raymond van Barneveld or Michael van Gerwen in the latter stages of the tournament.

“I always looked up to Phil Taylor, Barney and Michael van Gerwen. It would be unbelievable to play one of those two,” he added.

“It would be a weird one, who the crowd would support, me or Barney or me or Van Gerwen, but I have just got to beat what is in front of me and hopefully I can meet one of those in the later stages.”

Erik ten Hag is expecting an upturn in Manchester United’s fortunes in the new year as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount close in on a mid-January return.

This has been a bumpy second season in the Old Trafford dugout for the Dutchman, whose side have been eliminated from Europe and seen their Carabao Cup defence ended early.

United’s Premier League title chances are all but over before Christmas and Ten Hag’s side need to build on last weekend’s dogged 0-0 draw at high-flying rivals Liverpool when they head to West Ham.

The absentee-hit Red Devils are dealing with several doubts ahead of the Saturday lunchtime clash, but Ten Hag expects their injury problems to ease over the coming weeks.

“Now we have some doubts,” said the United manager, who welcomes back skipper Bruno Fernandes from suspension but sees Diogo Dalot serve a one-match ban.

“We have some illnesses during the week, so we have to see who is always available for tomorrow. Hopefully they are recovered but we have to see.

“(Casemiro and Martinez) are not available before Christmas, so that will be mid-January we expect them back.

“Mason Mount similar into January. Harry Maguire I expect him early on and Victor Lindelof is not available. He has done a surgery so he will be out for a couple of weeks.

“What happened? He had a problem and so (personal) is that, but he has to do the surgery.”

The impending return of such players will be a shot in the arm for a United side deprived of so many options in recent weeks and months.

As well as the aforementioned, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia have been unable to feature yet this season. Christian Eriksen recently returned to training after five weeks out with a knee issue and Anthony Martial missed the trip to Anfield through illness.

The forward’s absence underlined United’s lack of striking options heading into a transfer window that will surely see Jadon Sancho leave given he has been banished from the first team since September.

United have publicly indicated that it will be a quiet January and Ten Hag believes they have the quality in house to kick on in 2024.

“The current squad I’m happy (with),” he said. “As we get our players back, I’m sure we have a good squad.

“I think a lot of the way it went in the first (part of the) season, the reasons behind (it are) because many players were not available.

“I’m sure when all the players are available on board – it looks like, as I said, Casemiro will be back, Martinez will be back, Mason Mount will be back – we will be much stronger after the winter.”

The mid-term looks positive for United but now comes a chaotic Christmas period kicked off by the trip to David Moyes’ West Ham.

“We have three big games to play in this week – really looking forward (to them),” Ten Hag said, with a home match against Aston Villa and trip to Nottingham Forest following the game in east London.

“It’s always a massive period for any club in the Premier League but definitely now for us.”

Few horses captured the public imagination quite like Honeysuckle and the darling of Irish racing brought the curtain down on her illustrious career with one of the most emotional victories in Cheltenham Festival history.

In a script fit for Hollywood, Henry de Bromhead’s mare of a lifetime would climb from the canvas to thrill the Prestbury Park faithful for the fourth successive year, registering a battling swansong success in the hands of her ever-loyal pilot Rachael Blackmore.

Up until the 2022-23 season, Honeysuckle had been simply flawless, but she headed to the Festival with plenty to prove having seen her four-year winning streak ended by Teahupoo and also surrendered her Irish Champion Hurdle crown to State Man at the Dublin Racing Festival.

It was a desperately testing time for the De Bromhead family following the tragic loss of their beloved son Jack in a pony racing accident.

However, the stars aligned on a simply magical afternoon where Constitution Hill dazzled in the Champion Hurdle before passing the baton to Honeysuckle to raise the roof off Prestbury Park.

“It was a fantastic day,” said De Bromhead when recalling the magnificent Mares’ Hurdle triumph.

“It was just one of those great days, with Constitution Hill winning the Champion Hurdle, and then everything that had gone on with us with Jack’s passing, and then Honey and whether we would run her or not.

“We decided to give it a go and for her to come out and finish as she did was incredible.

“To see the rainbow above her when she was walking in, we knew Jack was with us as well, so it was an amazing day for us. Everyone has been so supportive of us and we really appreciated it. It was an amazing day for many reasons, it was up there with the best of them.”

Honeysuckle’s owner Kenny Alexander and his racing manager Peter Molony have been there for every step of her journey to stardom, but even they were taken aback by the sheer emotion of the post-race scenes taking place at every corner of Cheltenham’s vast racecourse.

“It was an unbelievable day and it was undoubtedly the most emotional day I’ve ever spent on a racecourse, the whole thing was just overwhelming, to be honest,” said Molony.

“The amount of people who came up to me throughout the week and said they had been racing for 40 or 50 years and that magic hour of Constitution Hill and then Honeysuckle was the most amazing and emotional experience that many of them have had in their racing lives. That’s incredible.”

Having lost her aura of invincibility in the Hatton’s Grace and failing to dispel the doubters at Leopardstown when saying goodbye to her vociferous home supporters, questions began to be raised about Honeysuckle’s waning powers and the dents the defeats were making on her legacy.

Of course, there would be no Champion Hurdle showdown with Constitution Hill many had salivated over 12 months prior and it was the Mares’ Hurdle that was chosen as the race for Honeysuckle to wave farewell.

Having first tasted Festival success in that contest in 2020, it proved a fitting contest for her final act and De Bromhead feels the unrest and trepidation heading into racing’s feature meeting helped create the joyous scenes experienced on that memorable afternoon.

He said: “It definitely added to it all, but we felt she was really good and had been all season.

“I’m not sure if things had been slightly different, she could have still been going there unbeaten, but they weren’t and of course it all added to it.”

However, if Molony had got his way, there would have been no fairytale goodbye for one of the most loved and admired mares of the modern era.

“I’ve made it no secret that we had some robust discussions within the camp after Leopardstown and I’ve made it no secret that I was a little bit chicken – I wanted to retire her after Leopardstown,” said Molony.

“I was thinking of how much she meant to us all and the public and there were a few things running through my head.

“I didn’t want anything to happen to her and she clearly wasn’t running to her optimum, she was clearly a few lengths slower than she had been in previous seasons.

“I didn’t want her to be going out on another losing run, but I fully admit 100 per cent I was wrong and Henry and Kenny were right – and it 100 per cent proved it was the right decision to run her on the day.”

Honeysuckle was backed into 9-4 joint-favourite and produced a display that blended together all the qualities she had shown in her career – showing speed, style, bravery and class to repel an inspired Johnny Burke doing his best to spoil the party aboard Love Envoi.

The two Festival heroines were embroiled in their own microscopic duel from the moment the tapes went up and, having jumped the last matching strides, it was only in the final half-furlong where Honeysuckle proved she was still the champion that many remembered.

Molony added: “There was a lot of pressure on and with the whole story leading up to the race, with both Jack and how she had influenced Rachael’s career, and when Rachael delivered her and she jumped the final hurdle, I was happy.

“From then on, she was home safe and then that characteristic battling quality saw her get up to beat Love Envoi.

“I still say that Johnny Burke’s ride on Love Envoi was one of the best rides of the week and he did everything in his power to beat Honeysuckle, but the two girls were more than able on the day.”

Having waltzed into the sunset following her Cheltenham heroics, Honeysuckle soon found herself bestowed to Walk In The Park.

Now in foal to the leading National Hunt sire and with motherhood fast approaching, the only thing to discuss is Honeysuckle’s place in history, with her handler in no doubt of her position amongst the greats to grace his Knockeen gallops.

“She would have to be the best, or very close to it anyhow. For her to do what she did and be so consistent and always turn up, she was incredible,” said De Bromhead.

It is a sentiment shared by Molony, who added: “It’s been a matter of debate over the last few years – what she was beating? But all she could do was beat what is in front of her.

“She won 13 Grade Ones and not many horses can do that. Her record shows she was no slouch.

“You could never have dreamed to have been involved with something like her. When you’re in the game, you are always delighted to get a winner, and to get a good horse gives you even more pleasure, but you can’t imagine you would come across something like Honeysuckle.

“The likes of Charlie Swann and Ruby Walsh and even people like Tony Mullins, who rode the great Dawn Run, they all rate her up there as one of the best National Hunt mares we have ever seen and I think that is how she should be remembered really.”

Iberico Lord and Impose Toi give leading owner JP McManus two strong chances of victory in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot on Saturday.

Having shown glimpses of promise during his novice campaign, Iberico Lord looked an improved performer when claiming top honours on his reappearance in last month’s Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and is well fancied to claim another major handicap victory this weekend.

His Nicky Henderson stablemate Impose Toi also made a successful return from a break at Cheltenham’s November meeting, albeit in lesser company, and the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry feels the pair are tough to split.

He said: “Their form ties in pretty closely and they’re both in good form. Nicky is happy with them and we’re hoping for the best.

“You’d be hoping they can both improve, it’s a lovely race for the two of them and a valuable race, so it’s nice to have two nice ones for it.”

The McManus-owned duo form part of a three-pronged assault for Henderson, who is also hopeful of a bold showing from his talented mare Luccia.

“We’re very happy with all three. Iberico Lord is in great order, he jumped five hurdles on Thursday morning and he looked very sharp,” the Seven Barrows handler told Sky Sports Racing.

“Impose Toi won at the same Cheltenham meeting. We were thinking of going to Sandown but that ground was so unattractive that we kept him back and JP was happy to run the two against each other.

“They are the same age, have similar profiles from France so they’ve got to take each other on, it’s a big prize. You probably need all the bullets you can find.

“Luccia is lurking there quite menacingly. She jumped half a dozen with Paul O’Brien on Thursday and he rides her. She’s in really good shape.”

Altobelli made a promising start to his campaign when second at Ascot in November and his trainer Harry Fry is confident there is more to come.

“His last run was his first run in a handicap and I was keen to get some more experience into him before going for a better race,” he said.

“Saturday is competitive, as you’d expect, but he’s in really good form with himself and should be all the better for that run.

“Hopefully he can be there or thereabouts.”

Gary Moore’s Hansard is allotted top-weight of 12 stone following his victory in Gerry Feilden at Newbury last month, although some of that hefty burden is offset by Niall Houlihan’s 3lb claim.

“He’s got his fair share of weight and it will have to be a big performance (to win),” said Moore.

“The good thing is Niall hasn’t been able to ride a winner recently, so he’s still able to take 3lb off. He’s a horse we’ve always thought highly of.”

Onlyamatteroftime is prominent in the market, despite having run out as favourite for the Greatwood Hurdle on his first start for Willie Mullins.

Kerry Lee’s Welsh Champion Hurdle winner and Greatwood fifth Nemean Lion, Dan Skelton’s Faivoir and the hat-trick-seeking Moveit Like Minnie from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard also feature.

Luton boss Rob Edwards vowed his side are ready “to do it for Locks” as they prepare to play their first match since captain Tom Lockyer’s on-pitch cardiac arrest at Bournemouth on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Welshman has since been discharged from hospital following a successful procedure to fit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and has begun a period of rehabilitation at his home in the wake of the incident, which Luton said was unrelated to a previous collapse in May’s Championship play-off final.

Edwards, who was in tears as he applauded fans following what he confessed was the “scariest moment [he has] ever had in football”, revealed that while he and his men wanted to honour Lockyer, he has also felt cautious in how they approach the aftermath of the deeply upsetting experience.

In a video posted to Luton’s official social media, Edwards said: “[Looking at] how we move forward from this as well, without going into too much detail, it’s not about ‘using it’.

“I’ve been really careful not for anything to seem like we’re using it. It’s about ‘what would Locks want?’. I think that’s the most important thing now, and what does this group of people want? We’re a really tight-knit group, a family, and we’ve got to look after each other now.

“It’s about really coming together even more than we already are. And I do, and we do, want to do it for Locks, but that’s coming from the right place as well. It can’t be selfish, and I’ve been really keen to stress that.”

Lockyer underwent surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation after collapsing during last season’s play-off final at Wembley.

He subsequently returned to action for the start of the new season and had made 15 appearances in all competitions before Saturday’s match, where he collapsed in the 59th minute of the contest.

The Premier League announced on Wednesday that the match will be replayed in full at a later date, while the Hatters are now preparing to host Newcastle on Saturday.

Edwards said he is taking a different approach with each individual, but the team stuck with a plan already in place to take a few days off, while players have been supported internally by club staff and have access to a 24-hour helpline, and the club have also liaised with sport mental health organisation Sporting Chance.

The Luton boss immediately rushed to Lockyer’s aide alongside paramedics and other medical staff who treated the defender on the pitch before he was carried off on a stretcher.

He said: “It was a really scary moment. The scariest moment I think I’ve ever had in football. It was different to Wembley. I knew it then and we certainly know it now after all the tests that have gone on this week. 

“We get on with it. The main focus then is Tom and his family, and then we’ll all be affected in slightly different ways, and we’ll deal with it in different ways as well, but I feel good. I have loads of support. Everyone has been asking me how I am as well, which I find difficult as well because I’m not the one going through it.

“I’m fine. I was emotional on Saturday. It scared me, but everyone rallied. The medical guys were incredible, in such a scary, pressurised situation with the world watching them as well.

“They made every decision bang-on. I’m so proud of them. They saved him. They’re real heroes.”