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Can Constitution Hill Become a Multiple Champion Hurdle Winner?

Just 11 horses in history have won the Champion Hurdle more than once but Constitution Hill has an excellent chance of adding his name to the list of multiple winners this year. He blew his rivals away in the race in 2023 and he goes into the latest renewal as a warm favorite.

Constitution Hill remains unbeaten over hurdles and many pundits believe he could finish his career as the greatest hurdler ever to grace the sport. He has a long way to go towards that status, but a second Champion Hurdle will help.

Back To His Best at Kempton

Nicky Henderson’s stable star has made one appearance so far this season and that came in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton back in December. The seven-year-old recorded his eighth success on the track, winning the Grade One contest by just over nine lengths. He is now -400 in the Cheltenham 2024 betting for the Champion Hurdle.

The defending champion is likely to be one leading Cheltenham tips this year as he has comfortably scored in each of his eight races under rules, including in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. With an official rating of 175, he is the highest-rated runner in his division, and he is versatile on all ground conditions.

At the end of the 2022/23 campaign, there was some talk about Constitution Hill tackling fences this season. However, his connections opted against that route as they wanted their horse to defend his crown in the day one Championship contest.

State Man to Get Another Shot at Constitution Hill

Irish horse State Man has tasted defeated just once in his last 11 starts and that came in the 2023 Champion Hurdle when he was second behind Constitution Hill. The seven-year-old will get a second shot at the reining champion this year.

Willie Mullins’ runner has won three Grade One races this season. He began his campaign with victory in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. A month later, he landed the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown, while more recently, he scored in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

The former County Hurdle winner was nine lengths behind Constitution Hill last March, but many pundits believe he is a better horse now and that he will put up a stronger challenge this year.

Lossiemouth’s Connections Have a Big Decision to Make

Last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner Lossiemouth made an impressive return to action on Trials Day at Cheltenham, winning the Grade Two International Hurdle by just under 10 lengths. Her team now must decide whether to take their chance in the Champion Hurdle or for their runner to feature in the Mares’ Hurdle against her own sex.

Should she run in the Mares’ Hurdle, the five-year-old would be a warm favorite to record-to-back victories at the meeting. However, her latest performance indicated she is good enough to tackle the best 2m hurdlers in the sport in the Championship race. 

A decision on her participation is likely to be made on the eve of the meeting, with field sizes, ground condition, and her form at home set to be taken into consideration.

The 2024 Champion Hurdle takes place on March 13, and it will be the 94th renewal in the race’s history.

 

 

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