2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[Quevega]

I can pretty much guarantee that if trainer and owner sit down for a chat after announcing he isn’t going to run in the champion hurdle. Neither will say “glad we’ve only ran him once so far”
They’ll be regretful no matter what.

Would have been an easier sit down saying “at least we got another 3 grade ones in the bag, enjoyed those days”

Life’s what you make it.

[Carnage at Taunton]

On the flip side surely this is a reminder to Henderson that something could happen to any horse at any time?

So run them when they are fit and healthy. Stop making excuses and evolving everything around one race each year. If he won four champion hurdles but ran twice a season he wouldn’t go above Istabraq imo, who I didn’t see, but record speaks for itself.

Same as us humans, could get knocked down by a bus tomorrow. Sorry for the grim analogy but it’s reality.

His priority is doing the best for his horses.
He does it his way and has been one of the most successful trainers we’ve had.
He obviously runs them when they are fit and healthy, but he’s wary of ground conditions and it has to fit in with how he thinks that helps or hinders his chances of success in the Champion Hurdle, which lets face it for this horse is the only race in the UK that really means anything as it’s the one race that could see him extended.The others are pretty much racecourse gallops.
Having said that though…..
I would like to see him go over to Ireland that’s the one thing that I would question with him.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I can pretty much guarantee that if trainer and owner sit down for a chat after announcing he isn’t going to run in the champion hurdle. Neither will say “glad we’ve only ran him once so far”
They’ll be regretful no matter what.

Would have been an easier sit down saying “at least we got another 3 grade ones in the bag, enjoyed those days”

Life’s what you make it.

He ran in the three Grade 1’s in the uk last season and would have this season but the weather and now this has thrown them.
Sometimes in life decisions have to be made, and sometimes those decisions do not go down well with some.
He will certainly know all about that!!
I hope the horse recovers well and going forward maybe a Grade 1 in Ireland will be on their minds.

[robith]

These are a fucking game changer in all honesty

Got a dual tray one - dinner hasn't been the same since. Absolute levels

[Craigy14]

His priority is doing the best for his horses.
He does it his way and has been one of the most successful trainers we’ve had.
He obviously runs them when they are fit and healthy, but he’s wary of ground conditions and it has to fit in with how he thinks that helps or hinders his chances of success in the Champion Hurdle, which lets face it for this horse is the only race in the UK that really means anything as it’s the one race that could see him extended.The others are pretty much racecourse gallops.
Having said that though…..
I would like to see him go over to Ireland that’s the one thing that I would question with him.

Nobody has questioned the care for his horses though. Again nobody is questioning his record either.

The horse has ran on heavy, twice, as a 4 year old and then 5 year old. Didn’t do him any harm that season did it? Surely do more harm as a younger horse when they’ve maybe not filled their frame.

So you really think running on soft or heavy ground months before the festival would impact his chances? Sorry CAT he’s brainwashed you.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Nobody has questioned the care for his horses though. Again nobody is questioning his record either.

The horse has ran on heavy, twice, as a 4 year old and then 5 year old. Didn’t do him any harm that season did it? Surely do more harm as a younger horse when they’ve maybe not filled their frame.

So you really think running on soft or heavy ground months before the festival would impact his chances? Sorry CAT he’s brainwashed you.

Personally I am disappointed when he’s entered and don’t run, just like most of us I imagine.But I don’t know the horse as well as the trainer and I trust him go do the right thing in getting his horse to the main target in the best possible shape to give him the best chance of winning.
If that makes me brainwashed, so be it.

[Quevega]

Personally I am disappointed when he’s entered and don’t run, just like most of us I imagine.But I don’t know the horse as well as the trainer and I trust him go do the right thing in getting his horse to the main target in the best possible shape to give him the best chance of winning.
If that makes me brainwashed, so be it.

Might have failed this year though.
Hopefully not.

[Rooster Booster]

I can kind of see both sides of this as it currently stands. Next season is key however. If anything close to this season is repeated I’m done with him. If I owned him he’d be going to the DRF to make up for it and gain back some respect. But I don’t and he won’t so another completely pointless post of mine

[fatherjohn]

latest update from seven barrows is slightly positive but ultimately all about Monday blood test

https://twitter.com/sevenbarrows/status/1763597118143340938?t=JndMUE1Df2jroltLOYwJCA&s=19

[Irish Rugby]

latest update from seven barrows is slightly positive but ultimately all about Monday blood test

https://twitter.com/sevenbarrows/sta...ltLOYwJCA&s=19

If anything, sure its great drama.

[Lobos]

A little more positive. He just might make the gaff yet.

[Quevega]

JP and Frank tend to take horses out of races sooner than some other big owners so I thought it interesting that they've left in Under Control for this race, and several others, including mares and handicaps.

With Constitution Hill a major doubt now, she could be JP's only chance for a runner in the race (it's his only entry).
And as far as I know he likes a runner in this race for sure.

If she bolts up today ?
Does she run here without CH in the race, by my rough calculations a good win in the morebattle would put her around the fourth or fifth rated in the likely runners including her allowance and part of a band of horses well behind State Man, but he's one horse.

And she'd be more likely to improve than most of the other runners.

Anyway, pounds at the ready as she's 1000-1 on the exchange
Fucking No chance.

[TigerRolllllll]

RTC just tweeted ….that doesn’t sound like he’s thinking of going


Nicky Henderson on CONSTITUTION HILL, per @RacingPost:

"We'll see his blood on Monday and that will tell us. If that has miraculously improved, we've still got a chance.

"If it hasn't miraculously improved, then we're out."

[Lobos]

Bit of confidence in C Hill in the market today. Maybe the antibiotics are working.

[TigerRolllllll]

Bit of confidence in C Hill in the market today. Maybe the antibiotics are working.

Still 5-2 tho….got to be thinking be evens-ish if there were def signs likely to go