2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[Carnage at Taunton]

Have you read 'The Triumph of Henry Cecil: The Authorised Biography' by Tony Rushmer?. It talks a lot about Frankel and the influence he had on Cecil when he was really poorly. It's a cracking read it you haven't.

No I haven’t, but will check it out
Thanks 4 over

[Silverbirch]

I can't see a way in which hendo runs Constitutional Hill tbh the guy pulls him at every opportunity he can because conditions aren't to his optimum. He simply won't be at his optimum come 2 weeks time.
I'll be amazed if he runs even if he's at 95% as Nicky simply won't stand for that, he's proved that in the past with him.

Shame

[Craigy14]

I can't see a way in which hendo runs Constitutional Hill tbh the guy pulls him at every opportunity he can because conditions aren't to his optimum. He simply won't be at his optimum come 2 weeks time.
I'll be amazed if he runs even if he's at 95% as Nicky simply won't stand for that, he's proved that in the past with him.

Shame

I was thinking about this and can see both sides of the argument.

a - he’ll want to protect the unbeaten status which is a pain in the arse! As you say won’t run him if he’s not close to 100%

b - flip side he has been trained with once race in mind so I think that may even be too much for Hendo to resist. He misses the race he ain’t winning 4 champion hurdles imo and possibly not 3.

[Mighty]

True, but this is the Champion Hurdle. The whole season revolves around this one race, not the International Hurdle.

Too early to say what will happen - wish we had a vet on here who could explain the chances of his recovery. Fingers crossed he recovers and runs.

[Big Bucks]

Anyone else feel for Stateman if/win he wins? If Con hill runs they will say he wasn't fit, if he doesn't it will tarnish the win aswell, saying weak renewal, defending Champ not there etc

[TigerRolllllll]

There must be some risk to horse longer-term to run him against State Man if not 100 per cent?

Could bottom a horse that gives everything on bridle more easily?

And whilst it annoys people, Nicky is rightly (in my view) very protective over his horses

Het impression horse not been right all season and there may have been more issues than we know

[Quevega]

I can't see a way in which hendo runs Constitutional Hill tbh the guy pulls him at every opportunity he can because conditions aren't to his optimum. He simply won't be at his optimum come 2 weeks time.
I'll be amazed if he runs even if he's at 95% as Nicky simply won't stand for that, he's proved that in the past with him.

Shame

Yeah but how many trainers do we hear mention ground being vital and then Cheltenham comes around and they run it on the opposite ground.

I think He'll run in a champion hurdle as long as they don't think the horse will suffer any ill harm, even though he might not be 100%.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yeah but how many trainers do we hear mention ground being vital and then Cheltenham comes around and they run it on the opposite ground.

I think He'll run in a champion hurdle as long as they don't think the horse will suffer any ill harm, even though he might not be 100%.

Yep, absolutely.
Pulling out of races to help his chances in the CHurdle is understandable, but they won’t pull out of the Ch unless they have no choice.

[PresentingPercy]

If Con Hill runs, he's a place lay on the day. If he's not 100%, he'll be well minded and not pushed by Nico. If he is 100% then he wins. It's how I plan to play it

[Carnage at Taunton]

Anyone else feel for Stateman if/win he wins? If Con hill runs they will say he wasn't fit, if he doesn't it will tarnish the win aswell, saying weak renewal, defending Champ not there etc

Guess that comes with getting well beat in the CH last year by the same horse.
Connections won’t be that bothered I imagine.

[Big Bucks]

Guess that comes with getting well beat in the CH last year by the same horse.
Connections won’t be that bothered I imagine.

Oh I'm sure they won't to much, if they have a CH on their CV. But I'm sure that "Tarnished" victory will be bitter sweet and niggle at them ever so slightly! I think that would be unfair personally. I hope if it happens they don't make a big deal out of it, I just picture it now, ITV will be all over it and talking about Constitution Hill and not Stateman! Time will tell!

[Carnage at Taunton]

Oh I'm sure they won't to much, if they have a CH on their CV. But I'm sure that "Tarnished" victory will be bitter sweet and niggle at them ever so slightly! I think that would be unfair personally. I hope if it happens they don't make a big deal out of it, I just picture it now, ITV will be all over it and talking about Constitution Hill and not Stateman! Time will tell!

Yeah, I understand what you are saying.
Problem is we all know that CH trashed SM last year.
So it’s inevitable that those sort of things will be said….unfair or not.

[TigerRolllllll]

If Con Hill runs, he's a place lay on the day. If he's not 100%, he'll be well minded and not pushed by Nico. If he is 100% then he wins. It's how I plan to play it

Totally agree, tho one of those bets I dont want to win

[Quevega]

Constitution Hill could always go over to Ireland when fully fit to put State Man back in his place though ??
Probably won't though will they ?
Maybe ?

[Carnage at Taunton]

Constitution Hill could always go over to Ireland when fully fit to put State Man back in his place though ??
Probably won't though will they ?
Maybe ?

Weren’t they talking about that instead of Aintree?
I think it’s likely this year, if all is well