The respected Timeform organization used just four words to sum up Constitution Hill’s showing in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in early May, calling it a “disconcertingly tame display.” This top-rated hurdler, once the overwhelming favorite, ended up fifth out of six runners. However, those words hardly describe Constitution Hill’s earlier performances, which ranged from effortless brilliance in the initial seasons to dramatic falls at Cheltenham and Aintree this year.
At Punchestown, the horse ran well until three hurdles from the finish but could not respond when jockey Nico de Boinville urged him forward, eventually finishing 27 lengths behind the winner, marking his first-ever career defeat. While a decline is expected as great racehorses pass their peak, Constitution Hill’s rapid drop-off in form between the Cheltenham Festival in March and Punchestown in May was quite stark. Coming into the March 11 Champion Hurdle unbeaten in 10 races, including eight Grade 1 wins, his diminished effort in Ireland was concerning.
The image of that performance lingers as Constitution Hill prepares for his comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday. He faces tough competition from two rising stars: The New Lion, who won at Cheltenham, and the unbeaten Anzadam from Willie Mullins’ stable. The victor will likely become the favorite for the Spring Champion Hurdle.
If Constitution Hill wins, it would set up a thrilling storyline for next year’s festival, with trainer Nicky Henderson aiming to emulate his success in reviving Splinter Sacre’s career. Splinter Sacre, also unbeaten in 10 races before a cardiac issue sidelined him, returned to win the Champion Chase after a difficult comeback period. Henderson, a seasoned trainer with nearly five decades of experience, is hoping to work similar magic with Constitution Hill.
Thus, the narrative for Constitution Hill’s final season is already shaped—fans eagerly await Saturday’s race to see if he still has what it takes to reclaim his former glory.
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In other news, Willie Mullins, despite not dominating British handicap chasing, continues strong in jumping events and is a key player in the trainer championship race. His horse Blizzard of Oz is a contender in Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. The seven-year-old has had limited races but showed promise at Punchestown and recently won a listed three-mile race at Wexford.
Additional notable races include Dominic’s Blame at Newbury and Anzadam at Newcastle, both expected to compete fiercely. Other horses to watch include Compensation at Newbury and Jasmine de Grusey at Newcastle, who are both in excellent early-season form. Fans can look forward to an exciting weekend of top-tier horse racing action across multiple venues.
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Fan Take: Constitution Hill’s upcoming races represent an emotional and highly anticipated comeback story in horse racing, symbolizing resilience and the potential for champions to rise again. For fans, this saga is more than just sport—it’s a reminder of the unpredictable drama and thrilling stories that make horse racing a beloved and enduring part of the sporting world.
