One of the big Cheltenham Festival bankers – Constitution Hill – might be OUT of the meeting after Nicky Henderson reported on Tuesday his star champion hurdler scoped badly after a workout at Kempton Park.
Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle Odds Drift, With State Man The New Cheltenham Favourite
Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville had been hoping to give Constitution Hill a routine spin at Kempton Park, just two weeks prior to his Champion Hurdle defence.
However, this racecourse gallop didn’t go as planned with Constitution Hill disappointing and the chance to defend his Cheltenham Festival crown is now in serious doubt.
It was reported there was “evidence of mucus”, with further test to be done to reveal the extent of the infection.
The Seven Barrows trainer went onto say the best they can hope for with the Festival only two weeks away is that it clears up within a week and, with that in mind, HASN’T totally ruled out Cheltenham just yet.
🚨 BREAKING: Constitution Hill has been scoped at Kempton after a disappointing workout. Nicky Henderson reports there is “evidence of mucus” which will now be tested to determine the extent of any infection.
The trainer said the best case scenario is the infection could clear… pic.twitter.com/4AfqRnl9n8
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 27, 2024
No other trainer has won the Champion Hurdle more times than Constitution Hill’s handler Nicky Henderson, with nine successes.
However, should his star hurdler not make the race, the former Cheltenham champion trainer is unlikely to be making it ten. He’ll be left with just Under Control, First Street and and Luccia in the race, who are all rated just 141 or lower.
State Man The New Champion Hurdle Favourite
As the news broke the best UK horse racing betting sites were scrambling around with the betting exchange Betfair seeing Constitution Hill’s price drift out to around 3.80 (from 1.30) in moments.
The move has now seen the two-time Irish Champion Hurdler State Man takeover at the head of the 2024 Champion Hurdle betting market as trainer Willie Mullins eyes a fifth win in the race and his first since Annie Power in 2016.
Could Lossiemouth Reroute From The Mares’ Hurdle?
The added subplot to the Champion Hurdle now is that – could another big Willie Mullins hope in Lossiemouth now be rerouted to the race?
She was expected to take in the easier Mares’ Hurdle on day one, but still holds an entry for the Champion Hurdle with Willie Mullins saying a few weeks ago she was still in both races in case something happened.
Well, that ‘something happened’ has now happened, so could we see a Mullins-off in the day one feature?
This decision will now partly be down to Lossiemouth’s owner Rich Ricci, who has won the Champion Hurdle twice in the past (Annie Power and Faugheen).
Mullins will also start the 2024 on 94 Cheltenham Festival winners, so this news will also enhance his chances of hitting the magic 100 mark with State Man likely to be elevated to ‘banker’ status should Constitution Hill not make the race.
What Date & Time Is The Champion Hurdle?
📅Time/Date: 3:30pm (Tuesday 12th March 2024)
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
💰 Winner: £253,215
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
See the full 2024 Cheltenham Festival running order, race times and schedule.
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