Unbeaten hurdler Constitution Hill is set to make his eagerly awaited return to action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. The Grade One contest is one of the early major races in the 2m hurdles division this season.
Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed earlier this year that his horse will remain over hurdles this season rather than switch to fences. It means his target at the end of the campaign will be to defend his crown in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
This will be the second straight season that Constitution Hill will begin his campaign at Newcastle. In 2022, he prevailed in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle by 12 months, beating former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante who had to settle for second place.
Should Constitution Hill continue to dominate the 2m hurdles division this season, he could establish himself as one of the greatest hurdlers in history.
First Stop: Newcastle
Constitution Hill has Paddy Power racing odds of 1/7 to replicate his success from last season. He starts the race as a warm favourite to maintain his 100% record on the track and bring up his eighth triumph under rules.
Love Envoi represents the biggest challenger to Constitution Hill at Newcastle. He is 6/1 in the online betting to cause an upset in the Grade One contest. Harry Fry’s runner finished second in the Mares’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, and this will be her first clash with the superstar hurdler.
Trainer Kerry Lee is expected to saddle Nemean Lion in the feature race at Newcastle. He is bidding for a hat-trick of wins following successes at Kelso and Ffos Las respectively. His highlight last season was his victory in the Grade Two Premier Novices’ Hurdle. He has the benefit of already having a run in the 2023/24 campaign, so he should arrive at the racecourse in the North East in peak fitness.
All Roads Lead Back to Cheltenham
Before he appears back at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Constitution Hill is likely to feature twice on the track. Henderson will consider the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton during the festive period as another option for his stable star. As the BBC reported, he shone in that race in 2022.
HONEYSUCKLE (GB) is your 2021 Gr.1 Champion Hurdle winner! 🇬🇧🎉
— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) March 16, 2021
Bred by Dr Geoffrey Guy and @wrigglevallytbs, the victory represents an 11th straight win for the daughter of late @YortonFarm stallion SULAMANI, a seventh Gr.1, and a second consecutive success @CheltenhamRaces. pic.twitter.com/6iZPWrRCq7
The Seven Barrows runner will be bidding to become just the fourth horse in the last 20 renewals to defend their title in the Champion Hurdle. The last horse to do so was Honeysuckle in 2021. Constitution Hill will go into that race as a strong favorite, as he blew his rivals away with ease back in March.
As a six-year-old, Constitution Hill remains open to improvement so his best performances may still be ahead of him. He has won his seven races under rules by a combined distance of 89 lengths so far, and that number could go above 100 should he win comfortably at Newcastle on his next start.
As the biggest name over hurdles and fences, National Hunt racing fans will be savoring the opportunity to see Constitution Hill wherever he appears this season. They are fully aware they are seeing a special racehorse and one who could go on to break many records in the sport.
Also read: 3 National Hunt Horses to Follow in Ireland in 2023/24
