As Santa puts Rudolph and co through their final paces, the star National Hunt performers will also have their final gallop ahead of their big festive day out. Whilst delivering presents at an improbable rate is the goal for the bearded one, the cream of the equine talent has Grade 1 glory on their mind.
As ever, the Sunbury-on-Thames venue of Kempton Park is what Boxing Day racing is all about – despite what the other 10 British and Irish meetings may have to say about it. Those attending the track or making it no further than the sofa are in for a real treat on the opening day of the 2024 Christmas Festival.
The staying chase magnificence of the King George VI Chase, of course, tops the bill. However, this week brought confirmation that the main event on the undercard will feature a heavyweight clash of Fury vs Usyk proportions. Britain vs Ukraine out in Riyadh, it’s Britain vs Ireland in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle as Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth lock horns.
Constitution Hill to Return at Long Last
It takes a special horse to feature so frequently in the 2024 racing headlines without appearing at the track. Unbeaten in eight outings under rules, including seven Grade 1 contests, Constitution Hill falls into the special category and then some.
In a different league to his rivals when slamming the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle field, he fulfilled his destiny when storming nine lengths clear of State Man in the 2023 Champion Hurdle. Only six years old at the time of that victory, the Nicky Henderson-trained phenomenon looked set to dominate the division for years to come.
Facile triumphs in the Aintree Hurdle on his final outing of 2022/23, and an even easier romp in the 2023 Christmas Hurdle did nothing to change that assessment. And then it all started to go wrong.
Missing the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown due to illness, a subsequent bout of colic ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign. Perhaps things would go more smoothly in 2024/25?
Then again, perhaps not. Intended to return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, the Newcastle contest was ruled out when Constitution Hill finished lame following a gallop at Newbury.
However, with only a couple of days to go before the Christmas Hurdle, the superstar son of Blue Bresil is included in the final field. Barring any last-minute hiccups, the year-long absence of the highest-rated hurdler in training will come to an end on Boxing Day.
Mullins Mare to Provide a Stern Test
Despite his imperious record and the manner in which he dismissed Grade 1 field after Grade 1 field, Constitution Hill is only the second favourite for the 2024 Christmas Hurdle.
That status is no doubt a result of his extended absence from the track and lingering concerns as to whether he will return in anything approaching peak form. Anything less than his best may not be enough to prevail, as lying in wait among the opposition is a Willie Mullins-trained mare, who currently sits atop the Champion Hurdle market.
Spoken of in glowing terms by her trainer almost from the moment she first set foot on Irish soil, Lossiemouth has proved once again that Mullins knows a potential superstar when he sees one.
But for a most unlucky defeat at Leopardstown, this five-time Grade 1 winner would be a perfect 10 from 10 under rules. In common with Constitution Hill, she also has two wins at the Cheltenham Festival, having landed the 2023 Triumph Hurdle and 2024 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
The official handicapper suggests Lossiemouth has 15lb to find with Constitution Hill. However, her mares’ allowance cancels out 7lb of that, and, unlike her rival, she has a recent run under her belt. That effort came in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, when producing a sensational display to slam Stayers Hurdle king Teahupoo.
Burdett and Lump Up Against It
Rated 16lb+ below Lossiemouth and a massive 31lb and more behind Constitution Hill, Burdett Road and Lump Sum make up the four-runner field. On all known form, a third-place finish will be an excellent result for either.
It will be a major shock if the £74,035 winner’s share of the purse doesn’t fall to one of the big-name duo. Will Constitution Hill silence the doubters, or can Lossiemouth cement her status as Champion Hurdle favourite? Tune in at 1:55 pm on Boxing Day to find out – this should be the perfect way to blow off any post-Christmas Day cobwebs!
