2025 Champion Hurdle

[Irish Rugby]

Nicky on Constitution Hill.
"The setback threatened to rule out a bid for a Christmas Hurdle hat-trick, but Henderson sais yesterday: He's coming along well.He wasn't hopping lame-he was lame for a couple of days after that gallop-but he's absolutely 100% now. "
Sir Gino was rerouted from an intended chase debut to post an impressive Fighting Fifth Hurdle success. But Henderson and Sir Gino's owners, Joe and Marie Donnelly, have yet to reach a decision as to whether last seasons top juvenile hurdler will stay over timber or tackle fences.
"We've got to keep all our options open as far as everybody's concerned, I'm afraid-that's the only way".

2/3 weeks ago SG was definitely going chasing. Now it's only 50/50.

[Carnage at Taunton]

If CH is ready to run in Xmas Hurdle then SG will clearly step aside and run elsewhere. That could open the door for Anzadam to run in the race and then Lossiemouth can stick to the original plan of International. But where then does SG go ? If Lossiemouth was confirmed going to the Xmas Hurdle would they want CH to run against her after coming off his issues? Clearly he wouldn't be 100% whereas Lossie would be race fit. I reckon there will be plenty of mind games going on and where each trainer says they will run will be quite far from the truth.

If CH goes to Kempton, then I can see SG going to the Intl.
But Its all complicated by multiple trainers and owners so really it’s hard to predict anything with confidence imo.
Just wait and see.

[Black Dog]

2/3 weeks ago SG was definitely going chasing. Now it's only 50/50.

I think Anzadam's emergence makes Chasing option more likely.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Maybe he has the more improvement in him after just 3 runs and just one away from France after a long break ?

Well possibly, but we have absolutely no idea how much improvement he and also SG have.
So I’m interested in whether I have missed something.

[Lobos]

Well possibly, but we have absolutely no idea how much improvement he and also SG have.
So I’m interested in whether I have missed something.

Have you watched his race back ? Plus the comments from Paul and Willie after the race are worth a listen.

[Quevega]

Anzadam could be another Mister Policeman.
Lot of fuss over his belated debut for Mullins, then jack shit after that.

Personally don't think so, cos I backed on exchange after he'd ran and people started talking him up - although his price now is gash.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Have you watched his race back ? Plus the comments from Paul and Willie after the race are worth a listen.

Yeah, funnily enough I just this minute watched it back.
I liked it and as I said earlier I have backed at 33.
Not too fussed re comments to be honest, hard to know sometimes what to take on board and not!! although it’s clear they like him.
Still don’t see why he should beat SG though.
Whilst of course recognising they are both 4 year olds and A could improve more than SG.
It’s anyone’s guess on that though.

[Lobos]

Yeah, funnily enough I just this minute watched it back.
I liked it and as I said earlier I have backed at 33.
Not too fussed re comments to be honest, hard to know sometimes what to take on board and not!! although it’s clear they like him.
Still don’t see why he should beat SG though.
Whilst of course recognising they are both 4 year olds and A could improve more than SG.
It’s anyone’s guess on that though.

We won't find out until they meet and that won't be until March if at all. Good to have some new kids on the block though. I'm not sure who'd come out on top either although I'd side with SG ATM as well.

[Killiney]

Personally I cannot see Mullins sending a 5 yr old down the Stayers route and I also think that Hendersons statement today re-opens the option of SG going the Arkle route. For me not much has changed. He has seemingly excited at home schooling over fences, he has had a run over hurdles (winning a G1in the process) and this will not stand in his way of reverting to fences. He needs a couple of runs over fences prior to the Arkle and that should not be too difficult. Ideally he might have wanted 3 ribs but 2 will do if he is as good as they say. Just my opinion but I have not backed him in the Arkle because of my prejudice against 5 year olds!

[Carnage at Taunton]

I think Anzadam's emergence makes Chasing option more likely.

That’s possible, and no doubt trainer and owner will discuss things.
But C Hill will be involved in this as far as the trainer is concerned.
And it’s clear to me that the trainer would much rather have a CH winner than an Arkle winner.
Owners would want at least one other as SM got beat the other day so is now vulnerable.
So depending on C Hill, is whether we see two or three of them in the C Hurdle imo.

[ComplyOrDie]

Be I interested in your reasoning in thinking Anzadam would beat SG?

Just my own personal belief that he'll improve beyond Sir Gino, over hurdles at least.

They are chalk and cheese though, Sir Gino already looks like he could go chasing, Anzadam is pretty small, a pocket rocket, if you like

I wouldn't have been raising Sir Gino 5lbs for the Fighting Fifth, I think he was entitled to win like that once his main rival barely went a yard!

The positions to ratings is actually fairly accurate with the exception of Mystical Power. Sir Gino beat a horse 9lbs inferior on ratings, by 8 lengths and a horse 16lbs inferior on ratings, by 12 1/2 lengths. That's not improvement, that's doing what was expected.

I have Sir Gino @ 33's & Anzadam & 40's & 33's (big flex ) so it's certainly not from a financial perspective that I base my opinion around.

All in all I hope Constitution Hill comes back to something near his best, and demolishes the lot

[DenmanSacre]

Donnelly's bought 3 3yos last season - SG, Anzadam and Salvator Mundi. Whoever buys for them deserves a bonus.

Be interesting to see which one ends up achieving more in their career.

At the moment, I have Sir Gino rated highest, then Salvator's maiden win slightly above Anzadam's win, which I'm assuming puts me in the minority. Not a massive amount between them though and all could easily put up better performances in a better race.

[Lobos]

That makes Salvator an even better bet in the Supreme then Denman.

Can't wait for him to come out. Not many horses give me the wow factor but his Maiden win pretty much topped the lot. Ran against trees but the manner of his victory was extraordinary, mind-blowing even. Produce something like that again on his reappearance and he'll go 2's for the opener.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Just my own personal belief that he'll improve beyond Sir Gino, over hurdles at least.

They are chalk and cheese though, Sir Gino already looks like he could go chasing, Anzadam is pretty small, a pocket rocket, if you like

I wouldn't have been raising Sir Gino 5lbs for the Fighting Fifth, I think he was entitled to win like that once his main rival barely went a yard!

The positions to ratings is actually fairly accurate with the exception of Mystical Power. Sir Gino beat a horse 9lbs inferior on ratings, by 8 lengths and a horse 16lbs inferior on ratings, by 12 1/2 lengths. That's not improvement, that's doing what was expected.

I have Sir Gino @ 33's & Anzadam & 40's & 33's (big flex ) so it's certainly not from a financial perspective that I base my opinion around.

All in all I hope Constitution Hill comes back to something near his best, and demolishes the lot

Ok, thanks COD
Interesting stuff

To be honest I don’t think the ratings people have any more idea than we do!!
I find it very interesting to see how these two develop and compare with each other in their respective careers.

[AaronLad]

Just my own personal belief that he'll improve beyond Sir Gino, over hurdles at least.

They are chalk and cheese though, Sir Gino already looks like he could go chasing, Anzadam is pretty small, a pocket rocket, if you like :highly_amused:

I wouldn't have been raising Sir Gino 5lbs for the Fighting Fifth, I think he was entitled to win like that once his main rival barely went a yard!

The positions to ratings is actually fairly accurate with the exception of Mystical Power. Sir Gino beat a horse 9lbs inferior on ratings, by 8 lengths and a horse 16lbs inferior on ratings, by 12 1/2 lengths. That's not improvement, that's doing what was expected.

I have Sir Gino @ 33's & Anzadam & 40's & 33's (big flex ) so it's certainly not from a financial perspective that I base my opinion around.

All in all I hope Constitution Hill comes back to something near his best, and demolishes the lot

This is interesting.
I thought he looked quite a big horse, I can only go on the replays and havent seen him in the flesh so couldn't be sure.
But when he joined dodger long on the run from the 2nd last to last he dwarfed him I thought, I also thought at the time during the race how much scope he looked to have.
maybe my eyes need a check up?