Racing fans were delighted to see Constitution Hill return to a racecourse at Kempton in this season’s Christmas Hurdle. That was the former Champion Hurdle winner’s first appearance in 12 months.
After two victories from two starts this season, the unbeaten hurdler will now head to the Cheltenham Festival where he will be vying to become just the second horse this century to regain their title in the championship race.
Nicky Henderson’s Runner Has Looked Back to His Best
Connections of Constitution Hill must have been nervous going into their horse’s return to action at the Surrey-based racecourse for the Christmas Hurdle. That race came following two disappointing public workouts. However, he cruised to victory in the Grade One contest, defeating Irish star mare Lossiemouth.
Constitution Hill is now the 4/5 favourite for those placing a bet on the horse racing for the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. He will be searching for his 11th triumph of his career over hurdles.
The biggest rival to Henderson’s star, according to the Cheltenham 2025 betting, is Lossiemouth. The pair will renew their rivals at the biggest meeting of the season, and Lossiemouth is 7/2 to go one place better than she did in Christmas Hurdle.
Seven Barrows Hurdler Has Recovered from Huge Setbacks
Constitution Hill was forced to miss the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, so he was unable to defend his crown in the race which was won by State Man. An unsatisfactory blood test meant he was on the sidelines for the final months of the 2024/25 season, including the Grand National Meeting and Punchestown Festival.
Henderson planned to run his horse in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle for his comeback run in November, however, he was not fit in time for the Newcastle feature. The former Champion Trainer opted to wait until the festive period and that proved to be a smart move.
The Seven Barrows handler has revealed Constitution Hill will not run again now before the Champion Hurdle. His horse is one of 16 entries for the 2m contest on day one of the meeting.
Hurricane Fly Last Horse to Regain Champion Hurdle
Although four horses have retained their crown in the Championship race since 2000, only Hurricane Fly has been able to regain the trophy. The Irish-trained horse prevailed in the 2011 Champion Hurdle and then two years later he shone again in the race to become a multiple winner.
Hurricane Fly is considered one of the modern greats in the 2m hurdles division. He won 24 races over hurdles, including 22 Grade Ones, which up until 2022, was a world record for the most triumphs in either Grade or Group One races.
If Constitution Hill is to enhance his reputation further and cement his place alongside the greatest 2m hurdlers in recent history, a second Champion Hurdle win will help. The eight-year-old is likely to remain over hurdles next season, so he could get the opportunity to join a small group of horses to win the championship race three times.
The 2025 Champion Hurdle takes place on the 11th of March, and it will be the 95th running of the premier hurdles race.
