One Hurdle Removed for Constitution Hill as Anzadam Ruled Out for Season

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is now only a little over a month away. Despite that proximity, previous seasons have taught fans to expect a few twists and turns before the final fields for the championship races are announced.

Over the early season, one of the most turbulent betting events was that of the Champion Hurdle – thanks to the doubts surrounding the brilliant Constitution Hill. Having begun with doubts surrounding his participation, we have come full circle to the familiar question, “Can anything beat Constitution Hill?”.

Hill Holds Edge Over Main Market Rivals

With the Nicky Henderson star having swatted Lossiemouth aside in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and mastered fellow Mullins runner State Man by 9l in the 2023 edition of the Day 1 feature, many ante-post punters were looking towards the new arrivals in the division for their ante-post each way bets.

Impressive Neville Hotels Hurdle winner Brighterdaysahead has, understandably, attracted a fair share of support. However, with the Gordon Elliott filly holding an alternative entry in the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle at the festival, the Willie Mullins-trained Anzadam was gaining an increasingly prominent role in the Champion Hurdle discussion.

Stellar Impression in Two Irish Starts

Despite only making his debut for Mullins on the 30th of November last year, Anzadam took only two starts to shorten into a general 8/1 fourth favourite for the biggest 2m hurdle of the season.

Going in the same Mrs J Donnelly silks as State Man and Sir Gino, Anzadam was a perfect two from two over hurdles in his homeland. However, those victories came at a relatively modest level, suggesting he would need to improve to master the tough and talented Kala Conti in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse. Anzadam passed that test with ease when crossing the line over six lengths clear of Kala Conti whilst giving the impression he had a lot left in the tank.

With the cat out of the bag, Anzadam was sent off at odds of just 1/10 for his second assignment in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad at Naas. This time the result was even more emphatic, as the mount of Paul Townend cantered to an 11-length victory.

Those on at big prices for the Champion Hurdle could have been forgiven for rubbing their hands with glee.

Alternative Targets Mentioned, before Injury Intervenes

Champion Hurdle 2025 Betting
Constitution Hill’s main challenge for the Champion Hurdle now looks to be Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead and stablemate Sir Gino though both hold alternative entries

Few things in betting are ever straightforward. Ante-post Anzadam supporters may have become a little twitchy when rumours began to circulate that the emerging star may not be set so stiff a task as the Champion Hurdle at this stage of his career. With question marks remaining over State Man, many observers expected that Mullins and Mrs J Donnelly may opt to roll the dice with the new kid on the 2m block.

However, any hopes that Anzadam may serve it up to Constitution Hill were extinguished in the following short statement from Willie Mullins last Thursday, 30th of January.

“Unfortunately Anzadam picked up a little injury at Naas and won’t be ready for Aintree. I don’t feel it’s prudent to try and rush him back for Punchestown, so he’ll miss the remainder of the season.”

That he could win so well at Naas whilst possibly not at 100% fitness, suggests that Anzadam remains a Grade 1 winner in the making. Unfortunately, we will now have to wait until the 2025/26 campaign to see if this rising star can continue his ascent.

As for challengers to Constitution Hill, yesterday’s Irish Champion Hurdle did little to inform us further. Lossiemouth crashed out of the race four hurdles from the finish leaving State Man almost unopposed in sealing his third successive victory in the race.