14 March 2023 , 15:36
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Constitution Hill showed he belonged in a league of his own as a hurdler as he delivered a masterclass to lift the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh, working for ITV Racing, exclaimed: “This could be the greatest horse of all time” after witnessing the nine length victory in the feature race of the first day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
On only his sixth run over obstacles, Constitution Hill won the admiration of Cheltenham as the hottest priced favourite of the week coasted clear of Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man to win easily by nine lengths, leaving onlookers searching for superlatives.
“We were beaten by an awesome horse,” said the runner-up’s jockey Paul Townend.
At odds of 4-11 Constitution Hill became the shortest priced winner in the history of the sport’s top hurdle prize.
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Trainer Nicky Henderson sent out his first Champion Hurdle winner in 1985, and trained three-time winner of the race See You Then, but his ninth winner of the race Constitution Hill may be the best he has ever trained.
He was never required to hit top gear by jockey Nico de Boinville and finished out on his own, after effortlessly cruising to the front turning into the straight.
“What a horse!” said de Boinville, speaking to ITV. “He had loads left. He has given me a terrific spin round.
Jockey Nico de Boinville was victorious on Constitution Hill (PA Wire/PA Images)“It’s been a dream of mine to get the big three [the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup] and I’m delighted I’ve achieved it.
“I could feel them all coming to two out but he has just winged every hurdle and it was just a matter of when you push the button.
“He has won hard held and anyone who has backed him for ten lengths or more, I apologise. He is an exceptional horse, an absolute superstar.”
Constitution Hill, who is owned by Michael Buckley, has now won all six races in his career by a remarkable aggregate of 86 lengths.
He was the 73rd Cheltenham Festival for Henderson, who has trained more winners at the meeting than any other British trainer.
“This is just an extraordinary horse,” said Henderson. “You can’t believe that at this stage of his life he is doing things like that. He is remarkable.
“And Nico is a cool boy. It never worried him.”
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