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2026 Champion Hurdle

Mike Cattermole has replied to someone on Twitter that Constitution Hill fell when schooling yesterday.

Not good IF true, given what Nicky has said on the lead up to the race today.
 
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Nice to see some of you guys have followed Alexei in.

Into a general 20/1 now from 40's.

Q said most of that is his money....
 
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Lobos said:
Nice to see some of you guys have followed Alexei in.

Into a general 20/1 now from 40's.

Q said most of that is his money....
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I thought indemnity was gonna give the form a little boost earlier, when he came there cruising.
 
Just seen a special on paddy power, constitution hill to win breeders cup turf @ 50/1. I'd imagine everyone will be lumping on this ! 🤣
 
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Danman said:
I thought indemnity was gonna give the form a little boost earlier, when he came there cruising.
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Yep. Rain before racing messed him up.
 
Interesting that Skelton said TNL got away with his jump at the last in the Turners but paid the price today. He's another that could drop at any time.

Both he and Constitution Hill should be sent to Golden Aces Trainer.
 
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Lobos said:
Interesting that Skelton said TNL got away with his jump at the last in the Turners but paid the price today. He's another that could drop at any time.

Both he and Constitution Hill should be sent to Golden Aces Trainer.
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The new lion looked quirky today, nearly ran out at one and wandered about at others, maybe he didn't like being in front ?
 
Lossiemouth wins this race on the bridle pretty much.
 
Quevega said:
Lossiemouth wins this race on the bridle pretty much.
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Deserves her chance. Could easily have been on a Hat Trick. She'll probably get done in March knowing her luck.
 
A little weird or just completely coincidental that both Constitution Hill and The New Lion crashed out at the same hurdle.
 
I'm far from Nico's fan but this isn't a jockey issue imo, and I don't think a more forceful jockey would get a response out of CH either. He jumped that second like he'd never seen a hurdle before - just threw himself at it. He's clearly lost all confidence in his ability to jump hurdles at race gallop, albeit they weren't even going quick then.

I have some sympathy for Hendo, he looked visibly upset after and cares greatly for the horses. But him and Buckley have been poor on Con Hill, and his relatively meagre returns (sounds mental to say for an 8x G1 winner!) for a horse of his talent is unfortunately a result of poor campaigning. They didn't may hay whilst the sun was shining, he was at his peak, and his day in the sun appears to be gone. For all his talents it's a shame as the fanfare around him, the talk of an ascot gold cup, him jumping fences, have made it a depressing listen over the last 2 years for the horse of a lifetime. To see him 14 times in four years (3 of which have come since the first fall at Chelt) is grim for the jumps game, for a horse of his talents.

He may come back and win G1s again (if the engine is there - we don't have a clue as he won't get far enough to tell us) but I hope they pull up stumps with him, he's earned a long and happy retirement. Talk of fences is a joke now - it was a valid conversation 24 months ago, it isn't now. And he wouldn't even win a G3 on the flat, so let's leave that too.
 
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Lobos said:
A little weird or just completely coincidental that both Constitution Hill and The New Lion crashed out at the same hurdle.
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They wouldn't have jumped it again if they were worried about it after the first fall, and low sun wasn't an issue so I'd say no. They were both quite 'guessy' mistakes though, just seemed to throw themselves at it
 
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Ellisgittings said:
I'm far from Nico's fan but this isn't a jockey issue imo, and I don't think a more forceful jockey would get a response out of CH either. He jumped that second like he'd never seen a hurdle before - just threw himself at it. He's clearly lost all confidence in his ability to jump hurdles at race gallop, albeit they weren't even going quick then.

I have some sympathy for Hendo, he looked visibly upset after and cares greatly for the horses. But him and Buckley have been poor on Con Hill, and his relatively meagre returns (sounds mental to say for an 8x G1 winner!) for a horse of his talent is unfortunately a result of poor campaigning. They didn't may hay whilst the sun was shining, he was at his peak, and his day in the sun appears to be gone. For all his talents it's a shame as the fanfare around him, the talk of an ascot gold cup, him jumping fences, have made it a depressing listen over the last 2 years for the horse of a lifetime. To see him 14 times in four years (3 of which have come since the first fall at Chelt) is grim for the jumps game, for a horse of his talents.

He may come back and win G1s again (if the engine is there - we don't have a clue as he won't get far enough to tell us) but I hope they pull up stumps with him, he's earned a long and happy retirement. Talk of fences is a joke now - it was a valid conversation 24 months ago, it isn't now. And he wouldn't even win a G3 on the flat, so let's leave that too.
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Well he did have 8 races in his first two years winning 7 grade 1’s. Then the next year he was on the sick list for most of it.
So without that would have averaged 4 races a season, which is fairly normal for a grade 1 horse these days it seems.
Maybe they could have tried to fit in a couple more trips to Ireland at times,but they had a plan for him and it worked well till the setback in 2024.

As for the future, I agree,to me the best thing for the horse is retirement, carry on and he could well get fatally injured.
He’s with the right trainer in that regard imo.
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Well he did have 8 races in his first two years winning 7 grade 1’s. Then the next year he was on the sick list for most of it.
So without that would have averaged 4 races a season, which is fairly normal for a grade 1 horse these days it seems.
Maybe they could have tried to fit in a couple more trips to Ireland at times,but they had a plan for him and it worked well till the setback in 2024.

As for the future, I agree,to me the best thing for the horse is retirement, carry on and he could well get fatally injured.
He’s with the right trainer in that regard imo.
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Didn’t exactly happen like this.
They left 3 or 4 grade ones in the cupboard by being precious
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
He won every 2m grade 1 in UK first two years and the Aintree one over further.
Without the setback no doubt he would have ran in every one next two years.
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He ran 3 times as a novice by choice
Had one full season
Then by choice started at Xmas in his third season
Then he started with issues and started fourth season at Xmas again.
None of it matters I was just saying that the original poster had a point and although injuries and illness played a part they also opted out of running him at times also
 
Quevega said:
He ran 3 times as a novice by choice
Had one full season
Then by choice started at Xmas in his third season
Then he started with issues and started fourth season at Xmas again.
None of it matters I was just saying that the original poster had a point and although injuries and illness played a part they also opted out of running him at times also
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I know Sir Gino was sub for him at Newcastle last year as he was unable to run, but must confess I can’t recall why he never ran in the race in 2023.
 
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