2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[Runragged]

If you were Willie would you want him to run or not?

Definitely. Assuming conditions turn out as bad as predicted. Never know what can happen running on awful ground. Also gives another perspective in the hunt for any 'chink' in his armour.

[Rooster Booster]

Definitely. Assuming conditions turn out as bad as predicted. Never know what can happen running on awful ground. Also gives another perspective in the hunt for any 'chink' in his armour.

IF your view of what Willie would want is the majority view then maybe we have our answer.

[Runragged]

IF your view of what Willie would want is the majority view then maybe we have our answer.

Many's the time I have tried to get in Willies head and come up short so who knows what he is thinking!

[Quevega]

Would just suggest it's a tried and tested method for the yard. As a novice he ran on the 8th Jan before going to Cheltenham, last year was Boxing Day. A run around Xmas/New year is the ideal prep race for the horse. Getting a longer break and a harder race on bad ground may not be in the best interests for the horse. However, missing this weekend and then Kempton doesn't happen would probably cause even more issues.

he wants to run him in the international this year though !
so running this weekend makes more sense, a nice 6 week or so gap after each prep.

[Quevega]

Definitely. Assuming conditions turn out as bad as predicted. Never know what can happen running on awful ground. Also gives another perspective in the hunt for any 'chink' in his armour.

Heavy ground is as safe as it gets really as long as you're jockey is a pro, unless you're worried about a heart attack.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Would just suggest it's a tried and tested method for the yard. As a novice he ran on the 8th Jan before going to Cheltenham, last year was Boxing Day. A run around Xmas/New year is the ideal prep race for the horse. Getting a longer break and a harder race on bad ground may not be in the best interests for the horse. However, missing this weekend and then Kempton doesn't happen would probably cause even more issues.

So basically it’s all about the timing that he prefers Kempton,which makes complete sense.
He has declared today though so must want to run him, and he must be pretty sure it’s going to be heavy.
Can he not run him and then recover accordingly?
Hes done it before.
Maybe he feels he owes Kempton as they help him out with gallops?

[Runragged]

he wants to run him in the international this year though !
so running this weekend makes more sense, a nice 6 week or so gap after each prep.

Just another option wasn't it? Though I am sure considering it has been moved in an attempt to encourage CH to go there then NH would want to support it.

[Carnage at Taunton]

he wants to run him in the international this year though !
so running this weekend makes more sense, a nice 6 week or so gap after each prep.

Exactly, nowt wrong with that that I can see.

[Quevega]

Just another option wasn't it? Though I am sure considering it has been moved in an attempt to encourage CH to go there then NH would want to support it.

I thought he'd said it was a plan.
I don't think he's wanted to keep the horse off the track for so long before March in the last 2 seasons, he spent every week moaning about having no options and forgetting Ireland exists.

However, it has done him no harm.
But what would ?
I don't think he's the horse he is because he has 10 weeks off before March.

[Runragged]

So basically it’s all about the timing that he prefers Kempton,which makes complete sense.
He has declared today though so must want to run him, and he must be pretty sure it’s going to be heavy.
Can he not run him and then recover accordingly?
Hes done it before.
Maybe he feels he owes Kempton as they help him out with gallops?

Wouldn't of thought two grade 1's in the space of 17 days is ideal, not with the first run on heavy ground. Would obviously have less impact on the horse than if it was three miles but still, will be tough on a horse who hadn't run for over six months.

Maybe right about Kempton. Seems determined to run CH there, but like said, could run Saturday then go International.

[Runragged]

I thought he'd said it was a plan.
I don't think he's wanted to keep the horse off the track for so long before March in the last 2 seasons, he spent every week moaning about having no options and forgetting Ireland exists.

However, it has done him no harm.
But what would ?
I don't think he's the horse he is because he has 10 weeks off before March.

Had a search for quotes on the International but everything refers to stable tour at start of season where he said the International being moved provided another option. I can't imagine his plan at start of the season was Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, International prior to the Festival and then Aintree/Punchestown, though would be great to see such a champion five times in a season. Seems very unlike Henderson.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Had a search for quotes on the International but everything refers to stable tour at start of season where he said the International being moved provided another option. I can't imagine his plan at start of the season was Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, International prior to the Festival and then Aintree/Punchestown, though would be great to see such a champion five times in a season. Seems very unlike Henderson.

Unlike Hendo, but then considering those races before Spring are pretty much canters, as there’s nothing anywhere near him. Comfortably doable imo.
Hes probably 180 plus.
Dont think we will see him at Aintree, but Punch I can see happening.

[Quevega]

Had a search for quotes on the International but everything refers to stable tour at start of season where he said the International being moved provided another option. I can't imagine his plan at start of the season was Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, International prior to the Festival and then Aintree/Punchestown, though would be great to see such a champion five times in a season. Seems very unlike Henderson.

He didn't have an extra run with Epatante (although may have been due to fitness), and he has bemoaned the contenders hurdle getting binned, which he used to use as a final prep.
But He even ran My Tent or Yours in an all weather jumpers bumper one year in February.
Buveur Dair did it most years.
I do think he prefers to have a run a few weeks prior (early Feb).
But habits change and maybe he'll be happy doing similar to recent years, but the International is a perfect option if he wants it. I may have "assumed" from comments I'd read or seen.

Even if he skips the weekend , the risk of Kempton being called off is low and would be rearranged anyhow, probably for Cheltenham New Years Day.
It does sound like he wants to run at Kempton for the extra money or whatever reason though.
So can see why he may skip Saturday.

But I'd say run him when he's ready, it's a grade one at a track he performs well at, and you never know what might happen going forward.
He might also come out of the race bouncing and be able to run at xmas anyhow.
It's not like he'll have a hard race, as he's around 15lb better than the rest.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Wouldn't of thought two grade 1's in the space of 17 days is ideal, not with the first run on heavy ground. Would obviously have less impact on the horse than if it was three miles but still, will be tough on a horse who hadn't run for over six months.

Maybe right about Kempton. Seems determined to run CH there, but like said, could run Saturday then go International.

Yeah I’m not suggesting both races in 17 days, just whether he could do This week rather than Xmas.

[Guinness Village]

I have a strange feeling about CH. I’ve taken him on with second and third favs
might be turned over on Saturday