The Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill is the red-hot favourite for the 2023 Champion Hurdle, so it will be one of the shocks of the Cheltenham Festival if he’s turned over – but there is a 52 year-old Cheltenham Festival trend, that dates back to 1971, the unbeaten hurdler will have to overcome first.
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Constitution Hill One Of The 2023 Cheltenham Festival Bankers
As we know Constitution Hill bolted up in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season (watch below) – beating Jonbon, who is one of the fancies for the Arkle Chase, by a staggering 22 lengths.
The Henderson horse has since been dubbed ‘A Monster’ after returning this term to add the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle to his CV and will head to the 2023 Champion Hurdle 5-from-5 over the sticks.
Therefore, with an unbeaten record, speed, slick jumping plus being a proven Cheltenham Festival winner – it’s not hard to see why the bookies are running for cover and making him Cheltenham odds of just 1/3 with BetUK to win the 2023 Champion Hurdle.
However, for those looking for a glimmer of hope to take him on with – there is a 52 year-old Cheltenham Festival trend that Constitution Hill will need to break in order to win the Champion Hurdle.
The Last Horse To Do The Supreme/Champion Hurdle Double (following season) Was In 1971
Wow! Quite a remarkable stat, considering the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – the Cheltenham Festival traditional curtain-raiser race – is meant to be a steppingstone for horses that progress towards the Champion Hurdle later in their career.
Okay, some winners of the Supreme often progress straight to fences – the likes of Shishkin (2020), Altior (2016) and Douvan (2015) are all examples of this. That trio all went onto win the Arkle Chase the season after winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
However, over the last 20 years we’ve still seen eight Supreme Novices Hurdle winners take their chance in the Champion Hurdle the next season – and all failed to land the double.
Brave Inca, who won the 2004 Supreme, did best of that bunch in the last 20 years to finish third in the 2005 Champion Hurdle, but did manage to win the Champion Hurde a year later in 2006.
The 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner – Appreciate It – could only manage 6th in the 2022 Champion Hurdle last season too, which is the only time this Willie Mullins horse has finished out of the first three.
You can see a full list of the last 20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winners below and how they fared at the Cheltenham Festival the following season.
Bula Was The Last Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Winner To Win The Champion Hurdle In The Next Season
In fact, you must go back to 1970 & 1971 and the Fred Winter-trained Bula if you want to find the last horse that won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and then followed up the next season in the Champion Hurdle (watch below) – 52 years ago!
Bula, who was ridden by jockey Paul Kelleway in most of his races, actually went onto win the Champion Hurdle in 1972 too, while won 34 times over his 51-race career.
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Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Winners (Last 20 Years)
A look at the last 20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winners and were they run (finished) at the Cheltenham Festival the following season.
- 2021 Appreciate It (6th Champion Hurdle)
- 2020 Shishkin (1st Arkle Chase)
- 2019 Klassical Dream (Didn’t Run)
- 2018 Summerville Boy (Didn’t Run)
- 2017 Labaik (Didn’t Run)
- 2016 Altior (1st Arkle Chase)
- 2015 Douvan (1st Arkle Chase)
- 2014 Vautour (1st JLT Chase)
- 2013 Champagne Fever (2nd Arkle Chase)
- 2012 Cinders And Ashes (UP Champion Hurdle)
- 2011 Al Ferof (4th Arkle Chase)
- 2010 Menorah (UP Champion Hurdle)
- 2009 Go Native (UP Champion Hurdle)
- 2008 Captain Cee Bee (UP Arkle Chase)
- 2007 Ebaziyan (UP Champion Hurdle)
- 2006 Noland (Didn’t Run)
- 2005 Arcalis (UP Champion Hurdle)
- 2004 Brave Inca (3rd Champion Hurdle)
- 2003 Back In Front (Didn’t Run)
- 2002 Like A Butterfly (UP Champion Hurdle)
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