The 2024/25 National Hunt season features many compelling narratives. Perhaps none more so than the return of a modern great bidding to reclaim his position as the king of the two-mile hurdle division.
We are, of course, referring to Constitution Hill. The latest Seven Barrows titan burst onto the scene with a 14-length romp at Sandown in December 2021. Thereafter, the Blue Bresil gelding set about proving he was cut from a different cloth to his rivals, time and time again.
A faintly ridiculous 22 lengths too good for the opposition in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he ascended to the throne with a nine-length rout of the 2023 Champion Hurdle field.
By the end of his stroll in the 2023 Christmas Hurdle, his record over hurdles stood at eight starts, eight wins, seven Grade 1s, and a combined winning distance of 95 and a half lengths. What could possibly stop him?
Health Issues in 2024
Against all expectations, Constitution Hill relinquished his Champion Hurdle crown in 2024. However, rather than a fellow equine star, his health proved his undoing. Following a disappointing gallop at Kempton, a respiratory issue emerged to rule him out of the Spring festivals. By the time a bout of colic was thrown into the mix, it was clear that racing’s biggest name would play no part in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
Back on Track, but Is He The Same?
Happily, for connections and the viewing public, Constitution Hill is now over his ailments and back in full training ahead of his anticipated comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle – a race he turned into a procession back in 2022.
As part of his preparation, Constitution Hill headed to Newbury for a racecourse gallop on Tuesday, 19th November. However, rather than inspiring confidence, the resulting video has triggered a significant shake-up in the Champion Hurdle Ante Post market.
It is possibly unwise to read too much into what was no more than a fitness exercise. Nevertheless, many viewers were disappointed to see Constitution Hill finish a half-length adrift of his workmate (no less a horse than the unbeaten Grade 2 winner Sir Gino). Was he simply unable to go past due to a loss of ability, or was fitness the issue? Or did “winning” a racecourse gallop perhaps not matter at all? We won’t know the answers to those questions until the brilliant seven-year-old returns to the heat of competition.
Henderson Unperturbed
Bringing Constitution Hill back to his best may appear to be a stiff challenge to fans, but is nothing compared to the obstacles Henderson has faced in the past. After all, the former Champion Trainer is the man who, improbably, nursed Sprinter Sacre back from a heart issue to regain his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown in 2016.
Given his history, it was no surprise that Henderson’s reaction was at odds with those taking a negative view. Summing up the excursion and Constitution Hill’s prospects, the septuagenarian handler stated:
“It was great, and we got the work into him. He’s done a lot more today than he did with Jonbon a couple of weeks ago, and he needed this gallop.”
Henderson also hinted at a little frustration regarding the “comeback” label.
“You have got to get it out of your head that he has been missing or whether he’ll come back. He hasn’t been anywhere! Sprinter Sacre had been ill for a year and a half. That was a comeback. This horse isn’t coming back. He ran at Christmas. Everybody goes on about it.”
Some degree of trepidation will inevitably accompany the return of a superstar. After all, how do we know they are the horse they once were until we see them at the track? Nevertheless, given his utter dominance of the division, Constitution Hill was expected to hold onto Champion Hurdle favouritism – at least until the end of his Fighting Fifth Hurdle outing. Ten days before the Newcastle event, the seven-year-old has already been demoted to second in the market.
If Not Constitution Hill, Then Who?
For those looking to take on Constitution Hill, the Willie Mullins-trained defending champion State Man would be the most logical alternative. However, the market has instead latched onto the claims of fellow Mullins’ inmate, Lossiemouth.
Long held in high regard by the Closutton maestro, this Rich Ricci-owned mare has won eight of her nine starts over hurdles, including a Cheltenham Festival double in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (2023) and Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (2024).
That fine record sees the five-year-old sit on a rating of 156. That’s a solid mark, but one which lies in the shadow of Constitution Hills’ monstrous rating of 175. If the Henderson runner returns anywhere near his best, Lossiemouth will need more than the seven-pound mares’ allowance to turn the lower his colours.
