PUNTERS predict it is going to be the ‘best race in years’ – and the mouthwatering showdown could cost the bookies £50million.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star Constitution Hill is looking to cap his comeback from a life-threatening condition.
PANicky Henderson has trained some incredible horses but arguably none have the star power of the unbeatable Constitution Hill[/caption]
Can Brighterdaysahead spoil the party and snatch the Champion Hurdle crown from Constitution Hill’s grasp?Sportsfile
While Gordon Elliott’s wondermare Brighterdaysahead is aiming to spoil the party and send the Irish raiders into rapture.
Unbeaten monster Constitution Hill is unbeaten in his ten-race career.
While Brighterdaysahead demolished defending Champion Hurdle king State Man by 31 lengths when she last raced in December.
We know Constitution Hill, owned by City big cheese Michael Buckley, relishes the punishing Cheltenham hill which can ruin even the bravest of horses.
We know Brighterdaysahead, owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, has speed no other hurdler can match.
What we don’t know is who is going to come out on top in this titanic tussle at 4pm on Tuesday.
The bookies give Constitution Hill the edge and he is 8-13 to win his second Champion Hurdle crown.
Brighterdaysahead, whose last defeat was a shock turnover in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, is a best-price 9-4.
Expect big bets – I’m talking tens of thousands – laid on both, with the bookies sweating on a £50m payout.
Constiution Hill can form the final leg of the ‘banker’ four-fold with Kopek Des Bordes in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Majborough in the Arkle and Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh infamously fell off Annie Power at the final hurdle exactly ten years ago when the bookies were facing another mauling.
Don’t think the thought hasn’t entered the head of Constitution Hill’s jockey Nico de Boinville this time round.
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So who will come out on top? Templegate goes through every Champion Hurdle runner below, rates them out of five stars and reveals his tip at the bottom.
Templegate’s complete Champion Hurdle runner-by-runner guide
BURDETT ROAD 3
ROAD works. Listed-standard on the Flat and is a more than useful hurdler.
He was impressive when winning the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle here in November and he led for a long way in the Christmas Hurdle before the class of Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth told.
Capable of finishing third but needs one of the big three to have an off day.
CONSTITUTION HILL 5
HILL on a different level. At his best, he’s one of the greatest hurdlers we’ve ever seen and his 2022 Supreme Novices’ cakewalk will never be forgotten.
Off-track issues meant he couldn’t defend his Champion title 12 months ago but he looked close to his best when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton returning from a year off.
He didn’t have to leave third gear when extending his 100 per cent winning record in the Bula here last time.
Nicky Henderson says he’s fit and ready. He’ll take all the beating if that’s the case.
KING OF KINGSFIELD 1
KING abdicated. He’s here solely as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead who needs this run at a breakneck gallop.
STATE MAN 3
CHAMP KO’d. Won this well last year in Con Hill’s absence but was no match for him in 2023.
His form this season has definitely been below his very best and he finished very tired when taking the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown after Lossiemouth’s fall.
Willie Mullins is adamant he’ll be competitive but even his best form wouldn’t be enough to topple prime Constitution Hill.
WINTER FOG 2
FOG lamped. Regular placer at Grade 1 level but has never looked like winning in this sort of company.
He was down the field in the County Hurdle on his last visit to the Festival in 2023 and will be ridden to pick up any pieces. That is likely to mean finishing no better than fourth.
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 4
HAPPY Days. Gordon Elliott is full of confidence after her 30-length win in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown at Christmas.
She’s been beating a below-par State Man and Winter Fog this season so will have to improve now matter how impressive she’s looked.
Was beaten at last year’s Festival when odds-on but has improved since. The big danger.
GOLDEN ACE 3
GOLDEN shot. Won the Mares’ Novice here last year and put a few modest runs behind her with a blistering victory at Wincanton last time.
She’s best over this trip and trainer Jeremy Scott is in good form. No shock if she nicks third.
Templegate’s Champion Hurdle tip
CONSTITUTION HILL can regain his Champion Hurdle crown.
He looked back to his best at Kempton last time and can extend his perfect record to eight.
Brighterdaysahead is an improved model from the one that was second at last year’s Festival and can give him most to do with a 7lb allowance.
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