THE big question at Cheltenham today is; will Constitution Hill live up to the hype?
Some have already tagged him as the greatest hurdler of all-time, but all the talk stops today at 3.30pm when he’s put to the test in the £450,000 Unibet Champion Hurdle.
The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old is the hottest favourite in this week’s 28 races and defeat would go down as one of the Festival’s biggest shocks in recent times.
Henderson, who has won a record eight Champion Hurdles, has described him as a ‘freak’ and 12 months ago he blew the track record apart with a 22 length Supreme Novices’ win.
Leading Irish hope State Man is very good too, but finishing in front of a ‘horse of a lifetime’ is not something many are forecasting - least not the British public - who have made Constitution Hill very much one of their own.
There is no such thing as a dead cert we’re told. In just under four minutes we’ll know this afternoon if Constitution Hill is indeed one of the greats.
1.30 - 2m Supreme Novices' Hurdle
A race won in brilliant style by Constitution Hill last year but this year’s renewal appears to lack the same X-factor unless Facile Vega can bounce back from a poor run at the DRF.
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner finished a tame fifth and despite stable vibes being strong it’s a big leap of faith in the Mullins team to support him at skinny odds after that.
His stablemate and the winner of that Leopardstown race Il Etait Temps looks a standout each-way bet but the vote goes to MARINE NATIONALE to give Barry Connell a first Festival win as a trainer.
He has been absent since winning the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse before Christmas but travelled powerfully that day and showed an explosive turn of foot to rescue the race from the jaws of defeat after a sloppy jump at the last.
Michael O’Sullivan is a very promising young rider and he looks a horse of huge potential and one who could be suited by the demands of this race.
SELECTION: Marine Nationale
NEXT BEST: Il Etait Temps
2.10 - 2m Arkle Chase
An exciting contest with Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson serving up an appetiser to the big one today with the clash of Jonbon and EL FABIOLO.
The market finds it difficult to separate the pair who clashed in a memorable Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last year when Jonbon just proved too good by just a neck.
El Fabiolo was only having only his second ever racecourse start that day though and with a year’s experience and now over fences, he’s taken to reverse the form, and win Mullins a fifth Arkle in nine years.
His 10 length win at the Dublin Racing Festival was considered by many as the performance of the weekend and although he is prone to the odd jumping error he has a massive engine and won’t mind the soft ground.
Jonbon is a solid opponent and although he has been steady and unspectacular in his three chasing wins, stable confidence is high in the Walk In The Park gelding.
Dysart Dynamo likes to go from the gun and could set it up nicely for stablemate El Fabiolo while Saint Roi is another Mullins inmate with ability that could run well.
SÉLECTION: El Fabiolo
NEXT BEST: Jonbon
2.50 - 3m1f Ultima Handicap Chase
A race dominated by the British and that trend looks set to continue this afternoon.
NASSALAM is a good solid handicapper that usually runs his race and although he might not have the talent of some in this field, he is reliable and represents a shrewd trainer in Garry Moore.
His last two runs have been at Cheltenham, finishing third and sixth, and he looks to be crying out for a long trip which he gets today.
The Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow would have a chance on the forecast soft ground but has been hammered by the handicapper and off 150 it’s a very tough ask for a horse so inexperienced over fences.
SELECTION: Nassalam
NEXT BESTS: Fastorslow
3.30 - 2m Champion Hurdle
A race for the ages with the unbeaten CONSTITUTION HILL hoping to add a Champion Hurdle to his awesome Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success 12 months ago - where he smashed the track record.
He’s been flawless since winning the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and it will be a massive shock if he doesn’t justify his very short odds here.
It is unlikely that he’ll win on the bridle though and in State Man he has his toughest opponent yet with Willie Mullins’ six-year-old having won four Grade 1s on the bounce since winning last year’s County Hurdle.
He took the scalp of two-time champion Honeysuckle at Leopardstown in his latest victory and in truth the race looks a match with Constitution HIll likely to be too good.
There should be a good scrap for the third spot with last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban likely to be ridden patiently while I Like To Move It has been popular in place markets too.
SELECTION: Constitution HIll
NEXT BEST: State Man
4.10 - 2m4f Mares’ Hurdle
A brilliantly deep race with the addition of Honeysuckle adding huge intrigue to an already high class contest. Her participation here rather than go for a third Champion Hurdle has been controversial but connections have every right to make this call as she probably has little chance of winning the race 40 minutes earlier.
She has been flat this season and looks to be slowing down over two miles but even with the extra four furlongs in her favour here, we’re going to take her on.
She’s one of two former Champion Hurdle winners in the line-up with Epatante also taking his chance as does last year’s winner Marie’s Rock.
ECHOES IN RAIN was well in this 12 months ago but she’s a mare with a serious turn of foot and if played late, and at the right time, she has the ability to win.
She needs to settle better for Patrick Mullins than 12 months ago but with so much class in the race there’ll surely be a good gallop and she looks to have improved over the season too.
Queen’s Brook, Love Envoi, Brandy Love and Shewearsitwell all have chances too in what’s shaping up to be one of the races of the Festival.
SELECTION: Echoes In Rain (ew)
NEXT BEST: Marie’s Rock
4.50 - 2m Boodles’ Handicap Hurdle
A trappy race often won by a big-priced horse - including the 80-1 Jeff Kidder two years ago.
The Irish hold a strong hand and it’s very difficult to separate most of them, as they have been running against each other and beating each other throughout the season.
Charles Byrnes is a dab hand at these handicaps and BYKER might be the one who could take a big step forward from his third to Sir Allen at Naas.
He was keen that day but stayed on at the finish and you’d imagine a strong gallop would suit him much better here with Philip Byrnes’ 5lbs claim also a big asset.
Tekao is a worthy favourite as he’s been competing in a higher grade while Sir Allen has done nothing wrong in winning his two races this year.
SELECTION: Byker
NEXT BEST: Tekao
5.30 - 3m6f National Hunt Chase
GALLARD DU MESNIL looks like banker material as his form in Grade 1 races and third off 11st8lbs in the Irish Grand National likely puts him on a different level to the opposition.
However, he is an infrequent winner and there’s a niggling doubt that he hasn’t the stomach for a real battle when it matters most, with just one win in his last eight races.
But that said he should win here and give Patrick Mullins a fourth win in the race.
Mahler Mission is a solid each-way alternative.
He’s a brilliant jumper and could dictate the race from the front and prove a tough nut to crack. His trainer John McConnell has never had a Festival winner but he’s a chance here with a horse who beat The Real Whacker in a novice hurdle at Doncaster last year.
Minella Crooner has been running over shorter trips this year and is dangerous to dismiss while his stablemate Chemical Energy was impressive here in the autumn but probably needs better ground.
SELECTION: Gaillard Du Mesnil
NEXT BEST: Mahler Mission (ew)
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