2023 Champion Hurdle

[opatcho]

And Summerville boy

Shhhhhhh.... we do not speak about that supreme...

[AaronLad]

When comparing last season's supreme to the champion hurdle, what are people's thoughts on replaying the races simultaneously and the outcome of that?
Does this not back up that constitution hill is an absolute monster and the only way he doesn't win the champion hurdle is if he doesn't line up or falls?
Or do you dismiss it as 2 different races can't be compared like that?

Just for those that haven't done this honeysuckle crosses the line with Jonbon.

[charlie]

When comparing last season's supreme to the champion hurdle, what are people's thoughts on replaying the races simultaneously and the outcome of that?
Does this not back up that constitution hill is an absolute monster and the only way he doesn't win the champion hurdle is if he doesn't line up or falls?
Or do you dismiss it as 2 different races can't be compared like that?

Just for those that haven't done this honeysuckle crosses the line with Jonbon.

The only race comparisons that hold any merit IMO are those run on the same day over the same course with no condition change, which the above was. I couldn't believe that Constitution Hill ran a quicker time over the second last to the line that Honeysuckle having gone much faster up to that point. You'd expect Constitution's effort to weaken up the hill but it didn't, which is the bit that sticks in my mind.

[ComplyOrDie]

You'd expect Constitution's effort to weaken up the hill but it didn't, which is the bit that sticks in my mind.

I think everything points to him being a freak, but this is by the far the most impressive part about him.

He quickened up the Sandown hill on 'Good/Soft' on debut, he quickened again up the Sandown hill on 'Heavy' in the Tolworth, and then finally he quickened up the Cheltenham hill on 'Good/Soft'. He loves a hill, it brings his stamina into play yet he's quick enough to lay up with the runaway types (Dysart Dynamo).

He could 100% go out in trip, but he doesn't need to. He's blessed with high cruising speed, turn of foot and stamina, it makes him a serious animal.

[charlie]

I think everything points to him being a freak, but this is by the far the most impressive part about him.

He quickened up the Sandown hill on 'Good/Soft' on debut, he quickened again up the Sandown hill on 'Heavy' in the Tolworth, and then finally he quickened up the Cheltenham hill on 'Good/Soft'. He loves a hill, it brings his stamina into play yet he's quick enough to lay up with the runaway types (Dysart Dynamo).

He could 100% go out in trip, but he doesn't need to. He's blessed with high cruising speed, turn of foot and stamina, it makes him a serious animal.

I couldn't have put it any better, well said that man.

[Rooster Booster]

Spot on both of you imo....I really hope he is the real deal . I believe he is but he still has to prove it... if anything can provide nh racing with the boost it needs it is this fella imo. In no way am I knocking honey....she is a wonder but she is not a freak in terms of ability ...and it’s just possible this fella could be and by god do we need one right now.

[Lobos]

There is always that little doubt with any Novice whether they'll train on and do it in Open company. Another thing I've picked up on is Nicky keeps emphasising how big he's grown from last season. Could that blunt his speed? Was last season's Supreme win his Champion Hurdle? From his home work you'd say no but home work and race day are completely different entities. We'll find out soon enough.

[ComplyOrDie]

I wonder what Hendo is thinking regarding plans for Constitution Hill now.

Would he really move a JP horse aside in the Fighting Fifth? Or will they clash?

Feasibly he could go straight to the Christmas Hurdle then for the Contenders at Sandown (we know CH loves Sandown), then to Cheltenham. But that would be 3 races in almost 3 months, give or take a few days.

[Lobos]

I wonder what Hendo is thinking regarding plans for Constitution Hill now.

Would he really move a JP horse aside in the Fighting Fifth? Or will they clash?

Feasibly he could go straight to the Christmas Hurdle then for the Contenders at Sandown (we know CH loves Sandown), then to Cheltenham. But that would be 3 races in almost 3 months, give or take a few days.

I'd say he'll get him out as soon as he can so if the ground is suitable I'd expect to see him at Newcastle.

[ComplyOrDie]

There is always that little doubt with any Novice whether they'll train on and do it in Open company. Another thing I've picked up on is Nicky keeps emphasising how big he's grown from last season. Could that blunt his speed? Was last season's Supreme win his Champion Hurdle? From his home work you'd say no but home work and race day are completely different entities. We'll find out soon enough.

Yeah, absolutely no doubt he has these questions to answer. I hope he has trained on and we get the clash. Love Honeysuckle (not as much as you, of course), but I don't think she'd be losing much in defeat IF her losing run were to come to an end at the hands of CH. On the other hand she would most definitely go down as one of the absolute greatest if she were to lower the colours of CH.

I just hope they both get there fit and well. Potentially exciting times ahead.

[Lobos]

Here, here COD. I do hope they both get to the Fez unbeaten and in brilliant form. We definitely need clashes like this. We rarely get them these days.

[AaronLad]

With novices you would normally expect them to need to train on and improve, but does constitution hill only need to have retained his ability from last season Lobos ?

ComplyOrDie
From the racing post
Where next for Constitution Hill?

Having bypassed Ascot, Constitution Hill is likely to have his next outing at Newcastle – where he would being taking on stablemate and former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante – or at Cheltenham, with the Gerry Feilden Hurdle, run this year as the Coral Bet Bundles Intermediate Handicap Hurdle, ruled out as an option.

“We’ve thought long and hard about it,” said the trainer. “We had thought about the Gerry Feilden at Newbury next week but I don’t think we’ll do that, so it’ll be a toss up between Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth or the International Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

“We’ll have to monitor the ground at Newcastle because I saw they were watering there a few days ago. With Cheltenham, you’d have 19 days between that race and the Grade 1 in Ireland [Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29], so that could work. There’s the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial in January too, so those are the options.”

[Lobos]

'With novices you would normally expect them to need to train on and improve, but does constitution hill only need to have retained his ability from last season Lobos ?'

On ratings yes but it rarely works out that way. He could go backwards as well.

His first run, wherever it is, will be the most anticipated run ever I think.

[AaronLad]

'With novices you would normally expect them to need to train on and improve, but does constitution hill only need to have retained his ability from last season Lobos ?'

On ratings yes but it rarely works out that way. He could go backwards as well.

His first run, wherever it is, will be the most anticipated run ever I think.

Do you have any examples of such a clear cut supreme winner going backwards? I'm struggling to think of 1 myself.

And it certainly is anticipated, if he runs against epatante in the fighting fifth, surely we get a better idea of how good this fella is rather than the international at cheltenham?

[JackieMoon33]

I'd say he'll get him out as soon as he can so if the ground is suitable I'd expect to see him at Newcastle.

I think he’ll go: Kempton bumper for jumpers, Newbury racecourse gallop, Champion Hurdle.