Super eight: how Constitution Hill ranks against the best two-mile hurdlers

Constitution Hill's stunning win in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle had many calling him the best-ever two-mile hurdler and propelled him into the ranks of the greatest based on Racing Post Ratings, which started in 1988. Here is the kind of company he's keeping now

1. Istabraq (RPR: 181)
Career best: Punchestown Champion Hurdle (1999)

Istabraq landed three Champion Hurdles in his dominant era in the years either side of the millennium. Officially his first success in 1998 was deemed the best of his championship victories, when he bolted clear by 12 lengths for Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Swan.

Yet it was his win at Punchestown in 1999, when completing a spring hat-trick after glory in the Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle, which was deemed the greatest. Sent off at odds of 1-4, he won by three and a half lengths without being put under any major pressure. Decoupage and Limestone Lad chased him home that day.

Istabraq: the best two-mile hurdler according to Racing Post RatingsCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

In fact Istabraq is responsible for three of the best four performances according to RPRs. His 1999 wins in a Grade 3 at Tipperary, now called the Istabraq Hurdle, and Irish Champion Hurdle achieved RPRs of 179 and 176 respectively.

Istabraq won 23 of his 29 starts over hurdles, with 14 coming at Grade 1 level.

2. Faugheen (177)
Irish Champion Hurdle (2016)

Utterly fantastic at his best, Faugheen won 13 of his 21 starts over hurdles and was one of hurdling's biggest stars in the last decade. He famously won the Champion Hurdle in 2015 but his victory in Ireland the following year was better on ratings.

Faugheen: rated just ahead of Constitution HillCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

On that January day, Willie Mullins' ace performer stormed clear of classy stablemates Arctic Fire and Nichols Canyon to strike by 15 lengths. Jockey Ruby Walsh called the performance "explosive".

3. Constitution Hill (176)
Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2022)

Saturday's magnificent performance takes Constitution Hill up to third on the list. Undoubtedly the sport's most exciting young talent, Nicky Henderson's star stepped forward from his epic 22-length domination at the Cheltenham Festival on his first run outside novice company.

His 12-length win over Epatante was deemed the best performance on RPRs from a two-mile hurdler on British soil and it is notable he achieved such a high mark at the age of five, whereas Istabraq was six and Faugheen was seven before making it into the 170s.

A clash with dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle awaits. She does not appear on the list, as her rating takes into account the 7lb allowance for mares.

Constitution Hill: brilliant at Newcastle on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

4=. Alderbrook (175)
Scottish Champion Hurdle (1996)

Kim Bailey's outstanding hurdler landed the Champion Hurdle in 1995 in scintillating style but his success at Ayr the following season was rated 1lb better.

That season he was beaten at odds-on when going for a Champion Hurdle repeat but the following month he effortlessly surged clear under top weight to win the Grade 2 handicap hurdle.

It would prove to be the last of his six runs over hurdles, which brought four wins, and overall he bowed out with a 50 per cent strike-rate from 30 starts. As well as three Graded wins over hurdles, he also scored at Group 2 level on the Flat.

4=. Dato Star (175)
Champion Hurdle Trial (2000)

An outstanding hurdler in the era of Istabraq, the Malcolm Jefferson-trained runner was typically dominant from the front and proved simply too good when a 17-length winner at Haydock in 2000.

That was his second victory in Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial and his six wins from 13 starts over hurdles also included the Fighting Fifth twice and the Christmas Hurdle.

6=. Collier Bay (173)
Champion Hurdle (1996)

Victory over Alderbrook in the 1996 Champion Hurdle puts the Jim Old-trained hurdler up there among the best. That season he made rapid progress to win a handicap at Sandown at odds of 25-1 before completing the Irish and British Champion Hurdle double.

He came from a prominent position to hold off Alderbrook by two and a half lengths at Cheltenham. Following Collier Bay's death in 2017, jockey Graham Bradley hailed his tremendous attitude by calling him a "street-fighting thug".

6=. Hurricane Fly (173)
Punchestown Champion Hurdle (2011), Irish Champion Hurdle (2012), Champion Hurdle (2013)

The incredible Hurricane Fly recorded 24 victories in a brilliant 32-race career over hurdles for Willie Mullins and posted RPRs in the 170s on ten occasions.

In all three of his top-rated victories Ruby Walsh produced him in his trademark style of sitting just off the pace and letting his class prevail as his rivals struggled to match his deadly racing rhythm.

Rooster Booster: won the 2003 Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

6=. Rooster Booster (173)
Champion Hurdle (2003), Tote Gold Trophy 2nd (2004)

Trained by Philip Hobbs, Rooster Booster achieved his best rating on two occasions including his most memorable day in the 2003 Champion Hurdle. Under a young Richard Johnson, he cruised through the pack to emerge 11 lengths clear.

The popular grey achieved the same rating the following season when going down by just a short head in the Tote Gold Trophy, now known as the Betfair Hurdle, under top weight. The ten-year-old was narrowly denied in the final stride by Geos, who was in receipt of 17lb.

Read more:

'This is a bit of a freak' - Constitution Hill blows away Fighting Fifth rivals

McCoy: 'Constitution Hill was brilliant but has a bit to go to be the best ever'

'A racing machine' - Constitution Hill stars on one of Newcastle's greatest days

Three experts on whether Constitution Hill is the best hurdler they have seen

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