Constitution Hill Produces Memorable Cheltenham Festival Moment

Unbeaten hurdler Constitution Hill produced one of the most spectacular performances in the history of the Champion Hurdle to claim the Championship contest on day one of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson’s runner blew the field away in the Grade One contest, coming home in a canter under the hands of regular jockey Nico de Boinville. In just six runs, he has established himself as not just one of the best hurdlers in the sport, but one of the greatest of all time.

His connections will already be considering the 2024 Champion Hurdler where their horse will bid to defend his crown. He is the -150 favorite in the bet on horse racing market for the premier hurdles race.

Only four horses since 2000 have been able to defend their crown in the Champion Hurdle. Honeysuckle was the latest to do so in 2022. Given the reputation of the latest star hurdler, connections of the mare opted for a race against her own sex this year rather than a clash with Constitution Hill.

Aintree or Punchestown Could Be Next This Season

The new Champion Hurdle champion may not be done just yet for the season. He could feature at the Grand National Meeting at Aintree or the Punchestown Festival in Ireland at the end of April. Both of those races feature Grade One hurdle races over 2m.

The six-year-old has won all six of his assignments under Rules by a large margin. He began the season with a 12-length success in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. That was his first outing outside of novice company, and he put a large distance between himself and former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante.

A second win this season came at Kempton on King George VI Chase Day. He came home 17 lengths clear of his rivals that day in the Christmas Hurdle. If he could add a fourth win this season to his name, he could climb the official ratings even further than his current mark of 173.

Comparisons with Istabraq and Persian War

Three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq and Persian War are considered two of the greatest hurdlers in history, and Constitution Hill is now being compared to those horses. What he achieves over the next few years in the sport will determine his legacy.

Istabraq, a horse who was bred to be a Flat runner, won 23 of his 29 races over hurdles. He was successful in four Irish Champion Hurdles, and he also won at the Grand National Meeting and the Punchestown Festival.

Persian War is another Champion Festival great which connections of Constitution Hill will be hoping their horse will be able to emulate. As well as his three Champion Hurdle wins, he was successful in the Triumph Hurdle and the Welsh Champion Hurdle. A lot of his success came in the era of Night Nurse, Monksfield, and Sea Pigeon, in what is regarded as the golden age of hurdlers.

Constitution Hill is sure to be in contention for many of the awards at the end of the 2022/23 National Hunt campaign.