Ladbokes Christmas Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Kempton Park 13:55 £130,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1  |
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1 Constitution Hill 5/6F
2
Lossiemouth 11/8
3 Burdett Road 16/1
4 ran Distances: 2½l, 6½l, 23l
Time: 3m 45.60s (slow by 4.60s)
He's BACK 😍
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) December 26, 2024
The mighty Constitution Hill returns from a year off the track to become the first-ever three-time winner of the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle.
The best Christmas present @sevenbarrows could have asked for.@Ladbrokes pic.twitter.com/N8j6hbZqEI
Constitution Hill put up a brilliant display, following a year off the track. Last seen in public with a moderate effort in a racecourse gallop at Newbury, where he was found to be lame, Nicky Henderson once again worked miracles to bring him back to peak form after a lengthy absence.
His jumping was immaculate throughout the race, and while market rival Lossiemouth struggled to keep up from an early stage, Nico de Boinville remained motionless and confidently guided Constitution Hill to a two-and-a-half-length victory as the 5-6 favourite.
The race had been hyped as a clash between the best of England and Ireland. Lossiemouth, who had won nine of her 10 races since joining Willie Mullins, was in receipt of a 7lb allowance but never looked to be travelling with the zest of the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero. De Boinville was keen not to press the button too soon and followed Burdett Road to the second-last. To Lossiemouth’s credit, she stuck on and still held a glimmer of a chance at the final flight. However, Constitution Hill showed all his old sparkle, and in scenes reminiscent of when Desert Orchid and Kauto Star ruled Kempton, he was welcomed back to a huge reception.
Nicky Henderson said, “He is him, and the great thing is he is back to where he belongs. I do think he is back to what he was always capable of being, and I do think he is nearly as good as he was. Nico said there is a lot of improvement to come, and he had a good blow going down to the last, which he was entitled to do off that gallop. That was rapid stuff.”
Henderson added, “Everybody in the jigsaw has done their part, and it has been entertaining getting him back. A lot of things have been done differently, and some of it has gone well, and some of it has been a bit of a struggle, but the last three weeks have been very good. I’ve never seen him look better.”
Michael Buckley, the owner, expressed his delight, saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve kept faith in my trainer. He tells me what is going on, and he is a master trainer. There’s no point in running them when they are not right. Look at this place today, there’s a gigantic crowd, and a large proportion of that will be due to him.”
Nico de Boinville added, “There was an awful lot riding on it today, but thank you to the crowd for coming out, as we felt the support. The great thing about my boss is he takes the pressure off. I’m in a great position riding for him and owners like Michael Buckley.”
This victory underscores Constitution Hill’s remarkable talent and promises more thrilling performances in the future. The anticipation for a rematch with Lossiemouth at Cheltenham is now even higher.
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
£130,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Constitution Hill 7 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 5/6F
2 2½ Lossiemouth 5 11-3 W P Mullins Paul Townend 11/8
3 6½ Burdett Road 4 11-10 James Owen Harry Cobden 16/1
4 23 Lump Sum 6 11-10 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 33/1
