Constitution Hill set for Cheltenham return on Trials day as track passes inspection, Fairyhouse also goes ahead

Punters are finding it hard to bet against superstar hurdler Constitution Hill as he makes his belated return to Cheltenham in the Unibet Hurdle (3.00). 

The unbeaten hurdler was last seen at the track almost two years ago when landing the Champion Hurdle with a career-best performance over State Man. 

A series of issues over the last season ruled him out for a year but he made a winning return when beating Lossiemouth at Kempton and will find this a much easier task against four rivals. 

He is due to go off at the joint-shortest price of his career at 1-12 on Saturday and while some money has come in for Fils D'Oudairies (16-1 from 20), it is predicted to be a romp for Nicky Henderson's flagship runner.

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Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Constitution Hill is a rather prohibitive Frankel-like price of 1-12 so for many it will be a watching brief of arguably the most exciting jumps horse of the last few seasons. 

"There's a few quid knocking around each-way for Fils D'Oudairies, who looks to have a bit to do against Nicky Henderson's stable star as he reverts to hurdles."

Market movers

Cheltenham 

12.40 Billythebigred 2-1 (from 5-2)
1.50 Imperial Saint 9-2 (from 11-2), Moon Dorange 9-2 (from 13-2)
2.25 L'Homme Presse 8-11 (from (4-5)
3.00 Fils D'Oudairies 16 (from 20)
3.35 Gowel Road 9-4 (from 7-2), Kerryhill 9-1 (from 20)

Doncaster 

2.05 Moon Rocket 3-1 (from 4)
3.50 To Chase A Dream 11-8 (from 5-2)

Fairyhouse chase course cleared for racing

Fairyhouse's chase course was cleared for racing late on Saturday morning after lingering frost finally cleared less than an hour before the opening race.

Temperatures dipped lower than anticipated overnight on Friday and resulted in frost at the County Meath venue, with the chase course not fit for racing at 8am. 

Despite racecourse manager Peter Roe's confidence in the forecast, which showed a steady rise in temperatures, the track failed its 10am check and a new inspection was called for 11.30am, which eventually passed just before noon. 

Aurora Vega: heads the market for Fairyhouse's Grade 3 mares' novice hurdle

The track's feature event is the SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle (1.38), with the Willie Mullins trio of Aurora Vega, Baby Kate and Fancy Girl dominating the market. Aurora Vega, the ride of Paul Townend, is a well-backed favourite at 11-8.

Cheltenham flies through morning inspection

Racing at Cheltenham on Saturday was cleared to go ahead after the track sailed through a 10.30am inspection.

Clerk Jon Pullin called an inspection with only half an hour's notice but his positive outlook on the forecast proved correct as the track was declared fit for racing shortly afterwards. 

Conditions were steady overnight in the aftermath of this week's storm at soft, good to soft in places, but temperatures dropped to -2.7C overnight and had yet to rise above freezing by 9.15am. However, the track thawed throughout the morning and temperatures are set to rise to 6C by racing.

Pullin said: "We just called the inspection due to ground temperatures remaining colder for longer than forecast. There were just one or two areas of concern, so we wanted to have a proper look and we're confident racing can now go ahead. 

"We're forecast to peak at about 6C or 7C, there's bright sunshine and things are improving minute by minute."

Potters Charm: runs at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick

Saturday's card features five Grade 2 contests, chief among them is the Unibet Hurdle (3.00), in which Constitution Hill has his first appearance at Cheltenham since his Champion Hurdle demolition of State Man in 2023. 

The track airs five races live on ITV, which include the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (1.15), Betfair Cotswold Chase (2.25) and the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle (3.35). 

The concluding Ais Novices' Hurdle (4.10), in which the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Potters Charm is odds-on to extend his unbeaten run, will be shown on Racing TV. 

More premier racing comes from Doncaster, headlined on the Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (3.15), where conditions have quickened to good, good to soft in places on the chase course and good to soft on the hurdles course. 

"It's dried just a little touch after a dry and windy day yesterday, not massively," clerk David Attwood said at 7.45am. "We're expecting a dry and bright day today, with less wind than yesterday. Temperatures should be about 8C, so it should be a lovely day."

Non-runners

Ga Law is the notable non-runner at Cheltenham on Saturday, with the 8-1 shot ruled out of the Cleeve Hurdle due to going. 

"We're not sure where we'll go with him now," said trainer Jamie Snowden. "We could go to Musselburgh for a handicap hurdle or there's the Denman as an option. It'll be anywhere with good ground."

Cheltenham

12.40 Walking On Air
3.35 Ga Law

Doncaster 

12.20 Blue Moon Lady
12.55 Grand Albert
2.05 Frisby, Gamesters Guy
3.50 Colours On Canvas

How to claim your Paddy Power Cheltenham Trials day betting offer

Signing up with Paddy Power is fast, secure and straightforward – and this guide will show you the simple steps to join Paddy Power and get your 30-1 odds boost for Constitution Hill to win the International at Cheltenham.

1. Register for a Paddy Power account.
2. Place a max £1 bet on the Win or Each Way market for Constitution Hill to win the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, Saturday, January 25th at the normal odds. 
3. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds, topped up to an enhanced price in free bets valid for 7 days.

Paddy Power Cheltenham Trials day betting sign-up offer: terms and conditions

We highly recommend that you take the time to read the terms and conditions attached to the Constitution Hill offer before signing up. This takes just a few minutes to complete and will improve your understanding of how the Trials day betting offer works and what's expected of you as a new customer.

• Open a new account using promo code YSACJL.
• Deposit a minimum of £5 by Cards or Apple Pay.
• Place a max £1 bet on the Win or Each Way market for Constitution Hill to win the International Hurdle at Cheltenham (15:00), Saturday, January 25th.
• Cashed Out, Partially Cashed Out and Power Price bets will not count towards the promotion. 
• If you place a qualifying bet and subsequently use Cash Out on the bet, you will no longer be eligible for the promotion.

Read Saturday's previews:

1.15 Cheltenham: Can Triumph Hurdle second favourite East India Dock make it back-to-back Grade 2 wins at Cheltenham before festival bid? 

1.38 Fairyhouse: Stuart Crawford's Mongibello could be the one to thwart Willie Mullins trio in mares' Grade 3 

1.50 Cheltenham: 'I think he'll run very well' - who thinks a drop into handicap company can do the trick for classy chaser? 

2.25 Cheltenham: Evidence suggests Cotswold Chase is L'Homme Presse's to lose - so can he boost Gold Cup claims? 

3.00 Cheltenham: Can Constitution Hill recapture former glory on long-awaited return to Cheltenham? 

3.15 Doncaster: 'He's absolutely bursting out of his skin' - who is in great shape heading into the Great Yorkshire Chase? 

3.35 Cheltenham: Can a wind op help Strong Leader bounce back from 'deplorable run' in Cleeve Hurdle Crambo clash? 

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