A little over two months to go to the Cheltenham Festival and all the star names have been entered in the Group 1 Hurdle contests.
Timeform rates the unbeaten Constitution Hill at 177p, a full 10lbs higher than second on the ratings, the Willie Mullins trained State Man.
He’s priced up at 1/3 but has not frightened away the opposition in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
The unbeaten Constitution Hill (Pic – BHA)
He was among 22 horses entered for the Cheltenham showpiece when it closed last week, five more than last year when the brilliant two-miler saw off his rivals with a dismissive nine-length triumph.
The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old has won all his eight races over hurdles and scored his seventh straight Group 1 success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last month.
Former champion jockey Ruby Walsh commented on the defending champion: “He’s just flawless. He’s damned close to perfect. At Kempton he was perfect and he’s such a good jumper.”
“It’s like he just lifts his knees at a gallop and just takes the jump in a galloping stride. You barely notice him getting off the ground, he’s that good at it.”
Included in the opposition this season is last year’s runner-up State Man, who gained his seventh Group 1 win in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.
Matheson runner-up, the Mullins trained Impaire Et Passe, is dual nominated in both the Champion Hurdle and also among 36 entries for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
The initial field for the three-mile event has attracted its highest entry since 2021.
Reigning French champion hurdler Theleme, the only horse to defeat the top-class Il Est Francais, heads the betting at a best-priced 9-2 from the Gordon Elliott duo of Teahupoo and Irish Point at 6/1.
There are 25 entries for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle with 2023 Triumph Hurdle winner, the Mullins trained Lossiemouth heading the betting at a top-priced 11-4, from stable-mate Gala Marceau at 6/1.
