2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[MadeinJapan]

I have Irish Point in that without Const market but would that be void should he not run?

Denise has come back on this - all bets in the W/O market will be void if he doesn’t run. If that leg’s part of a multiple, the leg will be void & the bet carries on with the other legs. Not sure about other bookies…

[Birds Nest]

Wouldn’t surprise me if both Lossiemouth & Zanahiyr end up here now.

All of Lossiemouth’s form is at 2m, not 2m4f. Get what you’re saying Kevloaf that she won’t go without Paul on board but her owner’s a risk taker & who’d he have instead? Danny Mullins IMO would be a more than able deputy. Yes, State Man’s a machine & on all ratings is ahead of her, but “Switch Switchy” has got history of this too hasn’t he? They’ve said continually she’s going to the Mares unless “something happens” - Con Hill being out would surely be that something? State Man still finishes ahead of her IMO though.

As for Zanahiyr, he’s hardly lit up chasing - e/w prize money for 3rd here vs placing (at best IMO) in Turners/Arkle when Bective also have Found a Fifty/American Mike… 25s e/w NRNB bet I like here rather than looking at the likes of Colonel Mustard/Pied Piper to fill frame.

If he doesn’t make it, gutted we won’t see one of the best hurdlers in our lifetime run in 2 weeks time.

Imo zanahiyr will stay turners, wasnt put into the race when 2nd to f2f then was pushed out to beat a 146 horae on only his 2nd chase start, he'll be close to 150 i'd think which after 2 chases is better than ginny managed, also the potential to improve is there as his hurdle mark is 155

[Madmoose]

Denise has come back on this - all bets in the W/O market will be void if he doesn’t run. If that leg’s part of a multiple, the leg will be void & the bet carries on with the other legs. Not sure about other bookies…

Thanks for this update

[riccirich]

Wonder will impaire et passe be supplemented now if con hill does miss out.

They would have been thinking before that if he can't beat state man then he's not beating con hill, but if state man is the one to beat they don't have a huge amount to make up on their first meeting when held up as opposed to front running. A bigger field at Cheltenham may help to narrow the gap too if he's ridden that way.

[Frankely My Dear]

I'd be happy to see those bets resurrected if he is supplemented

[riccirich]

Willie might be happy enough to just go with state man and be confident he has it wrapped up and keep impaire for something else.

But you'd think if there was ever a time that an owner would push for their horse to run it'd be when they have a live chance of winning a champion hurdle. If con hill is out obviously.

[robith]

Ah the annual Hendo injury wobble. Bah gawd, it's been a while

[Frankely My Dear]

Ah the annual Hendo injury wobble. Bah gawd, it's been a while

About 12 months?

[Frankely My Dear]

Willie might be happy enough to just go with state man and be confident he has it wrapped up and keep impaire for something else.

But you'd think if there was ever a time that an owner would push for their horse to run it'd be when they have a live chance of winning a champion hurdle. If con hill is out obviously.

If he's confident enough with State Man and nothing else joins the race then he may well stick with him, but I think it's worth putting Impaire in as well if The Hill is withdrawn, look for place money

[HesTheOne]

Doesn’t sound like a new issue for the Hill, dirty scope at the start of the year. Whispers lately he’s not 100% then a shite gallop today (sound of his wind in the videos like a cold tractor) followed by another dirty scope.

A surprise for us all - but maybe not so surprising for those close to the yard

[ComplyOrDie]

Nicky Henderson seemingly very emotional about the whole situation.

Horse of a life time, couldn't give two s***ts how he is campaigned, it will be a huge blow to racing in general if he doesn't turn up at the festival.

From a personal stand point, State Man is my best winner in the race, but Constitution Hill not turning up detracts massively from the race and the festival for me.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Nicky Henderson seemingly very emotional about the whole situation.

Horse of a life time, couldn't give two s***ts how he is campaigned, it will be a huge blow to racing in general if he doesn't turn up at the festival.

From a personal stand point, State Man is my best winner in the race, but Constitution Hill not turning up detracts massively from the race and the festival for me.

Absolutely.
Im just waiting to see the performance that I think he’s capable of, and only these type of races can get that as he’s ridden to win not impress everyone.
Winning the FF and Xmas hurdles are good of course but the opposition will not extend him.
Maybe State Man wouldn’t either, but I had this feeling that SM had improved and that it might just get CH having to do more.
I just hope he has the chance in March, otherwise it’s another year to wait probably. And anything can happen at any time, as we are seeing right now.

[Silverbirch]

Isn't it quite refreshing to get honesty and updates and about a horse for once?
In regards to a problem etc

[Hurricane fly]

Horse of a life time, couldn't give two s***ts how he is campaigned, it will be a huge blow to racing in general if he doesn't turn up at the festival.

A bit off topic, but "Horse of a Lifetime" gets said an awful lot in one persons life time.

Sprinter was a horse of a lifetime, as was Altior both within the last decade for the same trainer.

If he misses this years CH, the way he campaigned will surely be viewed as a disappointment vs other horses of a lifetime under the same regime.

I do however agree it takes away from the festival, I'm not 100% convinced State Man has been better this year than last, but had hoped CH would have been given a deserved rating with State Man seemingly being seen more favourably this year than last.

[Carnage at Taunton]

A bit off topic, but "Horse of a Lifetime" gets said an awful lot in one persons life time.

Sprinter was a horse of a lifetime, as was Altior both within the last decade for the same trainer.

If he misses this years CH, the way he campaigned will surely be viewed as a disappointment vs other horses of a lifetime under the same regime.

I do however agree it takes away from the festival, I'm not 100% convinced State Man has been better this year than last, but had hoped CH would have been given a deserved rating with State Man seemingly being seen more favourably this year than last.

Sometimes you only have to watch a horse to see how good they are.
Problem CH has is their has not been another horse that can get near him, thus far.
Different campaign would not change that.
Unless you think chasing would have, and no way of knowing if that would be the case.
Istabraq was the horse of a lifetime imo.