Unbeaten champion Constitution Hill eases to Aintree success
By Sporting Life
17:06 · THU April 13, 2023
Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill eased to a three-length win in the Grade 1 William Hill Aintree Hurdle to go seven from seven over hurdles in his career.
Nico de Boinville made every yard of the running and his mount jumped with his usual aplomb, looking like he wouldn't come off the bridle until he was gently pushed out in the closing stages to make sure.
There looked to be a different race going on for second place with Sharjah winning that on his first go at 2m4f but he was well held by the 2/15 favourite.
Paddy Power make the winner 6/4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle in 2024, but with a novice chasing option still very much on the table he is also 7/4 for the Arkle.
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Speaking afterwards, Henderson did not want to be drawn further on whether a chasing career could await next season, and in fact indicated he could stay hurdling.
“That couldn’t have been more straightforward. Two and a half miles out there on your own, your mind could wander, but he’s just had a doddle around and was in second gear the whole way,” said the Seven Barrows handler.
“He does jump doesn’t he. He’s got such versatility. We spoke this morning and said he’d have to make it, don’t mess about and keep it simple. Nico said he was hardly doing anything on the way round.
“I’m sure he’d get three miles, but there’ll be no decisions made today about next year. We’re not edging one way or the other. I’m not saying we won’t school him over a fence, but we’re not leaning any way.
“As long as he keeps doing it like that we’ve got a long summer to look back on it and enjoy it and talk about what will happen next.
“I don’t think we’ll school him on Saturday! I might the Saturday after! I don’t know, we’ll just have a think.
“There’s only so many races he can run in next year, Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, I do think the International will come into it on Trials day and then Champion Hurdle and come here. Some might say that’s boring, but we won’t find it boring. All options are still open and we won’t make a decision until the autumn I’d have thought.”
Like Henderson, proud owner Michael Buckley was rather non-committal about the future.
He said: “It’s nerve-wracking to be honest. I probably shouldn’t say that, but it is. I suppose that’s my temperament rather than anything to do with the horse, who is spectacular.
“I thought we might pay the late entry fee and run him in the National on Saturday, how would that do? I don’t know what we’ll do, I just want to enjoy this and praise Nicky as he’s won with two horses today who were both winning their sixth Grade Ones. We’ll enjoy that, it’s enough for one day.”
Meanwhile, Rich Ricci said of the Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah: “It was a fantastic run from Sharjah, he’s been a great servant and he’s run into a lot of good horses but made us a lot of money.
“He might go to Punchestown and next season we might pop him over a fence or two and see if we can do a Faugheen with him.
“I’m not sure the step up in trip suited Constitution Hill, but if he is indeed the next superstar we will steer clear of him.”
Timeform Verdict: David Cleary from the course
So, what to make of Constitution Hill's win the Aintree Hurdle, in particular the way in which he finished the race?
Three lengths was the narrowest winning margin of his career. In second and third behind him were Sharjah and Zanahiyr, horses that, on Timeform ratings, had respectively 18 lb and 20 lb to find. Constitution Hill had little trouble gaining a seventh win from seven starts, but this clearly wasn't on form his very best.
With no obvious pacemaker in the field, Nico de Boinville elected to make the running on Constitution Hill. Racing five or six lengths clear and jumping quickly and accurately as usual, he coasted through the race. His lead was reduced on the home turn, but still Constitution Hill looked in full control. However, when he was finally shaken up, with a furlong to run, he maintained rather than extended his advantage over his ridden rivals.
Was that finish the effort of making the running, his untested stamina beginning to be stretched on his first start beyond two miles or perhaps the after-effect of his run at Cheltenham? Perhaps the last option is the most plausible, with an element of the first.
Such is the high standard that has come to be expected of him, this victory for Constitution Hill was ever-so-slightly underwhelming. On balance, though, he remains a horse of almost limitless possibility, with all options for his future still on the table.
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