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

We should be grateful for the resurgence of Constitution Hill. Without him the International Hurdle would be nothing more than a Grade 2 contested by good handicappers with little bearing on the Cheltenham Festival.

It is simply good to see him back anyway. Watching one of the great two-mile hurdlers put his problems behind him in the Christmas Hurdle was a fillip for the sport, even if the bare form failed to resemble his peak from two seasons ago.

Constitution Hill overcame multiple layers of adversity at Kempton. He was off the track for a year and ceded race fitness to top-class mare Lossiemouth after the whole bubble threatened to burst a few weeks earlier.

Sir Gino exposed his frailties in a televised piece of work at Newbury, perfect ammunition for those speculating whether he would ever return at the top level. Thankfully, he did and credit to Nicky Henderson for masterminding the resurrection.

He is a general 1-10 for the International and cannot be treated as a betting proposition, nor can the race as a whole, unless ‘without the favourite’ markets are being explored.

So what everyone wants to see, bar those affiliated with the other four runners, is evidence that Constitution Hill can still reach the standards he set in 2022 and 2023.

Two years is a long time in this sport and 22 months have passed since his career-defining domination of State Man in the Champion.

There is hope Constitution Hill can relive those glory days. He is only eight, which on paper is a prime age for a National Hunt horse, and ultimately still lightly raced after only nine starts under rules. It is also entirely forgivable for any horse to finish tired in a strongly run Grade 1 year after a 12-month absence.

Looking further ahead, which is only natural on Trials day, Constitution Hill can probably only harm his Champion Hurdle chances here. Bookmakers have him odds-on for that and an impressive victory in the International should be treated with caution, given the calibre of opposition.

With respect to Brentford Hope, Fils D’Oudairies, Joyeux Machin and Spirits Bay, these are not Grade 1 horses and the acid test awaits in March when the leading Irish hurdlers have their say. Let us hope racing’s poster boy comes away unscathed from this latest assignment as hype for the festival begins to engulf the racing world.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

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Constitution Hill camp 'all very happy' ahead of Cheltenham return

Trials day at Cheltenham is often one of the standout fixtures of the season and this year's meeting received a significant boost after Constitution Hill was declared for the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's stable star extended his unbeaten run to nine at Kempton on Boxing Day, producing a powerful turn of foot to pull clear of Lossiemouth on his first appearance in 12 months.

Constitution Hill is the 1-10 favourite for this five-runner race and connections will hope he can continue on the road back to his brilliant best as he bids to win back his Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

It will be the star hurdler's first outing at Cheltenham in almost two years and Henderson said: "Everything has been great and he's had a terrific time since Kempton. He's been working really well and he's in good form. We're all very happy.

Team Constitution Hill was all smiles after his winning return

Constitution Hill and connections after the Christmas HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's obviously missed all that time and it seems that people like to see him out, so we thought we might as well come out. He likes Cheltenham and obviously Kempton, and that's the great thing about him as he's just so versatile. His head is so solid and you could go anywhere with him and virtually on any ground."

It has not all been plain sailing for the eight-year-old, though. After a dominant 14-length victory on his debut at Sandown, he reeled off seven consecutive victories, which included back-to-back success at the festival in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Champion Hurdle in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

However, his 2023-24 campaign was derailed after his Christmas Hurdle romp as he was forced to miss the rest of the season due to respiratory issues and suspected colic, which followed on from a below-par racecourse gallop at Kempton in February 2024.

After a 12-month layoff, he picked up from where he left off on Boxing Day but it was a late call to feature at Cheltenham on Saturday, with connections tempted to keep him away from the track until the festival.

"This race wasn't the first thing that came into my head after Kempton," added Henderson, who is the most successful trainer of this race with six victories. "We thought we'd head straight on to March, but he's given us other indications as he's taken everything on so well. It would've been a pity not to come out again and say hello."

The Harry Derham-trained Brentford Hope poses as his chief rival based on the market as he makes a quick return after an appearance at Windsor when 12th of 14 in a valuable 2m handicap hurdle.

The challenge from Ireland comes in the form of Fils D'Oudairies, while Spirits Bay and Joyeux Machin complete the small field.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Fils D'Oudairies
He's up against it but if he picked up a good cheque for being placed we'd be delighted.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer of Spirits Bay
He came out of his race at Haydock the other day very well and he's there to pick up some prize-money. The track will suit him and I think we'll ride him patiently and hopefully pick up the pieces.

Harry Derham, trainer of Brentford Hope
He's fine. This wasn't the plan, but there weren't many entries, so it looked a good opportunity to do our best and get some prize-money. I'd imagine bar Constitution Hill, everyone in the race will try and finish second. He came out of Windsor very well, hence the entry, and he didn't have that hard of a race.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Joyeux Machin
He obviously has bundles and bundles to find with Constitution Hill and a couple of the others are ahead of him on ratings as well. He's high enough in handicaps and we're going there hoping he'll run a nice race and pick up some prize-money.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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