2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[Kevloaf]

I'm not sure taking on 10yo Energumene or El Fabiolo would be any harder than taking on next years Arkle crop. It could be that one or both of those mentioned may not even make the Fez. There were calls for both Sprinter and Altior to go CC after their Open Company Game Spirit wins but they resisted. Maybe they will be tempted this time around. I think it'll go right to the wire.

I am certain that beating the Arkle field would be easier than beating the QMCC or GC field.

El Fabiolo or Energumene would be 1/5 in the Arkle, at absolute best.




Do agree though, if they didn't go QMCC with SS, they won't with CH.




For me, Sprinter Sacre is the best NH horse I've seen. It'll take something mega to replace that.... and it'lll have to happen for me to admit it, so crowning him beforehand will be moot

[Lobos]

I am certain that beating the Arkle field would be easier than beating the QMCC or GC field.

El Fabiolo or Energumene would be 1/5 in the Arkle, at absolute best.




Do agree though, if they didn't go QMCC with SS, they won't with CH.




For me, Sprinter Sacre is the best NH horse I've seen. It'll take something mega to replace that.... and it'lll have to happen for me to admit it, so crowning him beforehand will be moot

Not sure. We could be looking at Marine Nationale and Impaire Et Passe or Facile Vega or State Man even in the Arkle. Energumene might not be the same force as a 10yo and perhaps this year's Arkle winner might struggle in open company.

SS was never going to go Gold Cup so he could take in the Arkle before going CC the following season. C Hill may not have that luxury so next year's CC may be his one and only shot at it before GC in 2025.

Fascinating stuff.

[Quevega]

If he’s as good over fences as hurdles
he’ll run in the champion chase.
might as well win another champion hurdle after novice chasing, than an arkle.
it’s a massive step down in class

[Quevega]

The comparisons to sprinter and Altior are a bit wushu washy. Neither of them won a champion hurdle and started chasing off 180.

[Lobos]

In the last few years I think the Arkle has been run in a faster time than the Champion Chase hasn't it ? To me there may not be that much difference in winning either race. The CC next season doesn't look to be very deep at all.

[jono]

The comparisons to sprinter and Altior are a bit wushu washy. Neither of them won a champion hurdle and started chasing off 180.

Sentiment will almost certainly make me stubborn and never admit to a horse being as good as Sprinter in Spring 2013 even if it were true.

He'll need to take to fences, it's not a given by any means.

But look at back at the top Arkle/CC winners over the past 10-12 years and it's fair to say even a conservative guess could see 10-12lb improvement for going over a fence. Henderson has form for this particularly.

It's genuinely incredible what he could achieve if that's the case.

IF he takes to fencing that is.

[Lobos]

The comparisons to sprinter and Altior are a bit wushu washy. Neither of them won a champion hurdle and started chasing off 180.

Agree. To say Nicky hasn't sent any of his previous Champion Hurdlers chasing either is a little bit lazy as well as none of them started off in a point to point and a few of them had flat backgrounds so they were never going to be sent over fences. He's completely unique compared to all of Nicky's previous winners.

[FinalFurlong91]

If he’s as good over fences as hurdles
he’ll run in the champion chase.
might as well win another champion hurdle after novice chasing, than an arkle.
it’s a massive step down in class

Yes if he's a fluent jumper I'd imagine they will run him in the game spirit and if he beats open company rivals with ease they'd surely be seriously considering the champion chase

He's not certain to take to fences brilliantly though, isn't the biggest and got beat in his P2P because of a jumping error

Be interesting to see how he goes

[Lobos]

Yes if he's a fluent jumper I'd imagine they will run him in the game spirit and if he beats open company rivals with ease they'd surely be seriously considering the champion chase

He's not certain to take to fences brilliantly though, isn't the biggest and got beat in his P2P because of a jumping error

Be interesting to see how he goes

I've watched his PTP back and don't understand the negativity. He outjumped the winner until the final fence when looking as though he'd cruise up. He looked to jump it fine but the jockey was totally unbalanced on him for some reason and CH understandingly skewed on landing and the Jockey nearly came out the side door. He virtually came to a standstill but to his credit rallied and nearly got back up at the line.

[Saxon Warrior]

If he’s as good over fences as hurdles
he’ll run in the champion chase.
might as well win another champion hurdle after novice chasing, than an arkle.
it’s a massive step down in class

If they are serious about ditching hurdles to make a big splash over fences, then the Champion Chase would be a massive splash for a Champion Hurdler winning Novice Chaser to attempt.

For me thats the route they should go, if ditching hurdles.

There nowt in GB thats likely to be good enough in 2M open Chases.

Only a 10yo Energumene, plus El Fab to possibly come over and test in in March.

[Lobos]

Agree Sax. I really hope it happens. Even if he didn't stay the GC distance, a Supreme, Champion Hurdle and a Champion Chase in consecutive seasons will be unbelievable and probably never repeated.

[Saxon Warrior]

Agree Sax. I really hope it happens. Even if he didn't stay the GC distance, a Supreme, Champion Hurdle and a Champion Chase in consecutive seasons will be unbelievable and probably never repeated.

Yep,

Make History on the way trying to make more History.

[archie]

People grossly underestimating El Fabiolo in my view. Huge engine.

Neither Henderson nor Buckley has given the slightest hint that the QMCC will be a target next season. Buckley only mentioned the Gold Cup and Henderson name-checked the Arkle before a QMCC.

[Zachx02]

People grossly underestimating El Fabiolo in my view. Huge engine.

Neither Henderson nor Buckley has given the slightest hint that the QMCC will be a target next season. Buckley only mentioned the Gold Cup and Henderson name-checked the Arkle before a QMCC.

Don't think anyone is underestimating him, its just that Constitution Hill is that good and if he improves further over fences no matter how good energumene or el fabiolo are it wont matter

[HesTheOne]

People grossly underestimating El Fabiolo in my view. Huge engine.

Neither Henderson nor Buckley has given the slightest hint that the QMCC will be a target next season. Buckley only mentioned the Gold Cup and Henderson name-checked the Arkle before a QMCC.

I think people including myself are drawing the form line to the CC through Jonbon and comparing their respective speed/engines that way. Obviously fences are now in the way compared to the hurdling form line but it’s not too difficult to come to the conclusion CH could easily put it up to El Fab.

Consensus is there may only be 1 horse he has to prove himself against in the CC and it’s not inconceivable to draw a form line already - on what we know to date