Can Brighterdaysahead beat Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle? Four tipsters provide an emphatic answer

The Unibet Champion Hurdle was confirmed as the target for top mare Brighterdaysahead on Monday. Can she beat Constitution Hill in the day one feature next Tuesday? Four of our tipsters give their views . . .

• 'We could see odds-against for Constitution Hill' - Brighterdaysahead decision reduces bookmaker fears of costly day one acca 

Constitution Hill16:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr: Nicky Henderson

Brighterdaysahead16:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr: Gordon Elliott

'She will be taken out of her comfort zone'

By Harry Wilson

There's no doubting Brighterdaysahead looked visually impressive when winning at Leopardstown over Christmas – and winning in a time almost five seconds quicker than standard suggests she did it well – but it was exaggerated by massive underperformances from her main rivals and an outlier on previous form.

Carrying a 5lb penalty didn't help matters in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle last season, but Brighterdaysahead didn't look to have that spark that she's shown elsewhere around Cheltenham and the defeat to Golden Ace has to be of serious concern.

Brighterdaysahead (centre): beaten favourite in last season's Mares' Novices' HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

There is a chance she's just improved with each start since, but she only beat State Man by three-quarters of a length in the Morgiana, despite having race fitness on her side, and that was the second time she'd put in an indifferent round of jumping, which is another worry.

The fact that a race-fit Lossiemouth couldn't keep up with Constitution Hill, who was likely hugely undercooked for that first start in 12 months, was all these eyes needed to see to get excited about his return to the Champion Hurdle, and his excess of speed will take Brighterdaysahead out of her comfort zone.

There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to describe Constitution Hill, and I hope and expect him to deliver a performance befitting the best hurdler I've seen.

'Constitution Hill is a generational talent'

By Charlie Huggins

The week before the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, I wrote in one of my answers for a Racing Post Punting Club special that "Constitution Hill is the best horse I've seen in my lifetime" and how I was looking forward to watching him "take the Champion Hurdle on the bridle".

The Michael Buckley-owned star duly obliged when beating State Man by nine lengths and although much has happened in the interim, my opinion of the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old has not wavered. He demonstrated his wellbeing after a year off the track when winning a third successive Christmas Hurdle before following up in the Unibet Hurdle.

He will make it four wins at Cheltenham when regaining his Champion Hurdle crown and the presence of Brighterdaysahead, who has beaten defending champion State Man in Grade 1s at Punchestown and Leopardstown on his last two starts, can only enhance Constitution Hill's reputation.

I remember social media comments crabbing my assertion that Constitution Hill was the best I'd seen and while he does not need to do anymore to prove that to me, if he can comprehensively beat Brighterdaysahead when giving her 7lb and add another Champion Hurdle to his CV, maybe a few more will start to appreciate the generational talent we are witnessing.

'He shouldn't be beaten'

By James Hill

I think Gigginstown are going to find it tough to successfully replicate the tactics they employed at Leopardstown over Christmas. 

Cheltenham's more undulating, and Brighterdaysahead is really going to need to put some lengths between herself and the favourite by the top of the hill and still have plenty left for the finish. That could prove impossible.

I don't think you can knock what Constitution Hill has done this season. He breezed into the lead at Kempton off a strong pace and just blew up on the run in, otherwise he'd have beaten Lossiemouth handsomely. 

Constitution Hill: beat Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

As for Trials day, obviously he would have been more impressive had he not missed the last. I actually think his biggest danger is the hurdles, as he is so quick over them and leaves no margin for error. But unless he's got a proper hole in him under pressure, he shouldn't be beaten.

'I hope he proves the doubters wrong'

By Richard Birch

If a horse is able to get Constitution Hill off the bridle it will be interesting to see how he reacts mentally; the richly talented Brighterdaysahead, in receipt of the 7lb mares' allowance, could well be that horse.

Constitution Hill remains unbeaten, but the fact he is likely to start at around 4-6 as opposed to 4-11 when he won the Champion Hurdle two years ago illustrates some level of public uncertainty that he is still the force of old. 

I hope he proves the doubters wrong.

Read these next:

'We could see odds-against for Constitution Hill' - Brighterdaysahead decision reduces bookmaker fears of costly day one acca

Brighterdaysahead to take on Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle showdown - but Nicky Henderson reiterates confidence in unbeaten star 

How Racing Post Ratings may have swayed Brighterdaysahead team to take on mighty Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle 

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