2026 Champion Hurdle

[Runragged]

Henderson said his horses are about 2 weeks behind when interviewed regarding the run of Jonbon today. The Fighting Fifth is in just over 2 weeks... Like we saw today, Skelton has his spot on for the first run whilst Hendersons are needing the run, don't see it being any different in the Fighting Fifth.

Surely if you're a CH backer you want to see him jump round safely and with the same enthusiasm. A win would just be a bonus.

 

[opatcho]

Henderson said his horses are about 2 weeks behind when interviewed regarding the run of Jonbon today. The Fighting Fifth is in just over 2 weeks... Like we saw today, Skelton has his spot on for the first run whilst Hendersons are needing the run, don't see it being any different in the Fighting Fifth.

Surely if you're a CH backer you want to see him jump round safely and with the same enthusiasm. A win would just be a bonus.

How ready do we think TNL will be. This is Dan’s champion horse, is he going to have him 120% for the fighting fifth, with he has eyes on the champion hurdle?

I think the pressure is reversed here, I think henderson will have Con Hill forward to try and regain his status whereas Dan would like to see TNL run well and come off as the season progresses

Dunno, hard to tell

 

[Runragged]

How ready do we think TNL will be. This is Dan’s champion horse, is he going to have him 120% for the fighting fifth, with he has eyes on the champion hurdle?

I think the pressure is reversed here, I think henderson will have Con Hill forward to try and regain his status whereas Dan would like to see TNL run well and come off as the season progresses

Dunno, hard to tell

He'll be ready. They were going to skip Kempton weren't they? Options to run are very limited and Skelton won't send him to Ireland as he wants the prize money. FF and International before Cheltenham and Aintree. If horse still going well then can squeeze in Punchestown at the end.

 

[Lobos]

Are you going to compare every decent enough horse who didn’t hurdle well to Faugheen Faugheen was a bit of a freak you only have to look at his record! Apart from that surprise defeat at Punchestown he was just shy of 5 years undefeated over hurdles, including when the injuries started to hit in 2016 where he was only able to run once.

No

 

[Lobos]

I really think the vibes from the Henderson yard suggest constitution hill is back be amazed if he doesn’t win the fighting fifth Xmas hurdle and the champion hurdle
The new lion has no chance of beating it over 2 miles

I have received no vibes like that

 

[Lobos]

They aren't saying anything because their tails are so tightly squeezed between their legs. IMO
Like Ed Gein dancing in front of his mirror.

He's like a boxer off the back of three successive knockouts.
Not really going to be talking the Big un, given the circumstances.

He needs to show himself.

Absolutely this. We need to see the real CH. When he beat Eptante I thought there and then he was the best Hurdler I've ever seen and I've been around for a long time. I'm not saying he'll get back to that as he's a couple of years older but , if he's back to something like his best and he's remembered how to hurdle properly then he'd pick anything up and spit it back out. He is a sensational Hurdler at his best.

I very much want him to show that he's number 1 again at Newcastle and personally think he'll not disappoint me.

 

[Wayward Lad]

I haven't picked up any vibes other that noodle arms saying his engine is still there. I think they have been very hush, hush this time. I can't work out whether that is good or bad. Find out soon enough though. Win the fighting fifth and goes a very warm order in the CH market. It feels like all or nothing with him. If he is fit and gets beat, he becomes just another horse. I also don't think TNL gets anywhere close to THE Constitution Hill but this is Russian Roulette now as to which version he now is.

‘‘Just when I thought I was out……they pull me back in again”

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I have absolutely no idea how CHill will perform in the FF, like everyone else on here. For me it’s intriguing and probably the race I’m most looking forward to right now,With his doubts and TNL first time out of novice company….fascinating.
My big worry with CH is he looks like a horse that’s now thinking about it, after heavy falls and showing bit of a reluctance to start at Punch, well looked that way to me if I remember correctly?
The time he’s had away from the track since last season may have rejuvenated him, I certainly hope so, but I do fear we won’t see him at his best or maybe even near that again.
The horse will tell us very soon, my fingers will be well and truly crossed.
Pretty sure he will be fit enough, think he has to be.

 

[The Fellow]

Henderson said yesterday he thinks his string are around 2 weeks behind where they should be at the moment

 

[Quevega]

Henderson said yesterday he thinks his string are around 2 weeks behind where they should be at the moment

Anyone ask him why ?

 

[Yosser]

It's a kop out for his training skills being on the wane imo and he doesn't know how to address it. We have had excuse after excuse for about 3 years now as to why his horses aren't running well. Some of them legit, but it all leads to failure ultimately.

 

[The Fellow]

the ground being to firm to get going , it came up in the conversation with Ollie Bell after Jonbon got beaten , Ollie asked him if it was just Jonbon or the whole team and he said it was the whole team , Jonbon was always going to run he said because he really needed it before the Tingle Creek , he said the lack of rain had delayed getting them started and he thought they were all a fortnight behind , and then said Dan has all his fit and firing , hmmmm

 

[Pisto]

Don’t get me wrong NH has been a brilliant trainer over the years but the various excuses are very grating . Correct me if I’m wrong but was there any mention of being 2 weeks behind fitness wise before Jonbon ran? . I didn’t back jonbon but there’ll have been plenty that did .

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Don’t get me wrong NH has been a brilliant trainer over the years but the various excuses are very grating . Correct me if I’m wrong but was there any mention of being 2 weeks behind fitness wise before Jonbon ran? . I didn’t back jonbon but there’ll have been plenty that did .

Well anyone who backed Jonbon would probably have known the race is used to get him fit for the Tingle Creek , so imo it’s all about whether the price is worth taking the chance.

 

[Wayward Lad]

the ground being to firm to get going , it came up in the conversation with Ollie Bell after Jonbon got beaten , Ollie asked him if it was just Jonbon or the whole team and he said it was the whole team , Jonbon was always going to run he said because he really needed it before the Tingle Creek , he said the lack of rain had delayed getting them started and he thought they were all a fortnight behind , and then said Dan has all his fit and firing , hmmmm

“Always going to need it”…..Basically admitting to using a race to get him fully fit before the TC……..were the general betting public told this before the race?

I suspect the bookmakers got wind of this based upon the drift in price….

Why isnt NH santioned as surely its therefore “schooling in public”?

Whilst we know it happens, then it doesn’t make it right……

and I didn’t back Jonbon

 

[Guinness Village]

Horse gone, along with constitution hill. Lulamba not good enough and sir Gino never going to get back

But let’s fluff it all over and pretend they’re fantastic

 

[BigL]

I would be interested in Henderson 0 winners at Cheltenham

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

“Always going to need it”…..Basically admitting to using a race to get him fully fit before the TC……..were the general betting public told this before the race?

I suspect the bookmakers got wind of this based upon the drift in price….

Why isnt NH santioned as surely its therefore “schooling in public”?

Whilst we know it happens, then it doesn’t make it right……

and I didn’t back Jonbon

Horse gone, along with constitution hill. Lulamba not good enough and sir Gino never going to get back

But let’s fluff it all over and pretend they’re fantastic

Simple game!!

 

[AnFiieLD.]

How do we think WPM splits his runners now this side of Christmas?

Lossie/Irancy Morgiana
Anzadam Fighting Fifth?

 

[Benjy23]

Anzadam Morgiana
Lossiemouth Hattons Grace

Be my guess.