Constitution Hill is undoubtedly the horse to beat in the Champion Hurdle, says Stu Williams, who previews the seven declared for Tuesday's feature race at Cheltenham.
15:30 Cheltenham
Champion Hurdle 2023 Runners
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill set a course record when making light work of his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle rivals 12 months ago and he has looked near unbeatable in two outings this term, when landing the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle respectively.
The unbeaten (under rules) six-year-old already boasts a rating of 173 which is traditionally a rating that would be reserved for a horse post Champion Hurdle success, such has been the impressive nature of his victories.
Nicky Henderson’s potential superstar looks anything but normal and, barring accidents, it’s hard to see any horse matching his high cruising speed and decisive turn of foot, which saw him pull 22 lengths clear of stablemate and leading Arkle contender Jonbon at this meeting last year.
No trainer boasts more Champion Hurdle victories than Nicky Henderson (eight) and all ground comes alike to his exciting charge. It is therefore hard to find chinks in his armour.
State Man
Willie Mullins has often pitched graded horses in Cheltenham Festival handicaps and has been rewarded more often that not. Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs and current Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs - both winners of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle - are prime examples and the master of Closutton Stables was successful again last year when State Man turned a competitive County Hurdle into a procession.
The French-bred gelding is unbeaten in six starts for Mullins with his last three outings coming in Grade 1 company, culminating in an impressive four-and-three-quarter-length drubbing of dual Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle.
Henry de Bromhead’s mare lost her unbeaten status at Fairyhouse in December and the fact that connections have decided to run in the Mares' Hurdle suggests that they feel she may be waning slightly, which does throw the form into question.
However, State Man’s form is open company is arguably stronger than that posted by Constitution Hill, who has defeated his 153 rated stablemate Epatante - who herself is a former Champion Hurdle winner - on both of his outings this year.
Willie Mullins landed this prize four times between 2011 and 2016 (Hurricane Fly x2, Faugheen and Annie Power) and he will be keen to get his hands on the trophy once more.
Vauban
Vauban ran out a ready winner of the Triumph Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago before securing a hat-trick of Grade 1 victories at Punchestown in April.
The Rich Ricci owned five-year-old was easily the best juvenile hurdler on either side of the Irish Sea last season and he’s been far from disgraced in open company this year, having chased home his aforementioned stablemate State Man in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle prior to a third placed finish in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Vauban was keen on the latter occasion and would certainly be well suited by a strongly run Champion Hurdle. However, he will need to jump fluently in order to remain competitive against this level of opposition and he has made errors in the past.
That said, he does have a Prestbury Park success to his name - albeit on the New Course - and he does possess scope for improvement.
Espoir D’Allen demonstrated that five-year-old’s can indeed be successful in this race when running out an impressive winner in 2019. Vauban will look to follow in his hoof prints.
I Like To Move It
I Like To Move It has enjoyed a productive campaign thus far having landed the always competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle over this course and distance and the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
The progressive six-year-old now boasts a rating of 157 and his solitary defeat this year came in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle in January, where he seemingly failed to stay the trip.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding demonstrated potential as a novice when placing second in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and he boasts a 50% record at Prestbury Park, with three wins from his previous six visits.
However, in spite of all of these positives, his only previous outing in Grade 1 company resulted in a ninth placed finish in the 2021 Champion Bumper and he finished 17 places behind the aforementioned State Man in the County Hurdle 12 months ago.
He also has the best part of 20lbs to find with Constitution Hill who has greater scope for improvement, which is a scary proposition!
Zanahiyr
Although ultimately disqualified, Zanahiyr placed third in this contest last year and he could be ridden to pick up the pieces once more.
Gordon Elliott’s charge was only beaten four-and-a-half lengths and he also ran respectably when placing fourth in the 2021 Triumph Hurdle, albeit he was sent off favourite.
However, he has shown very little since his trip to the Cotswolds last March posting form figures of F7P5 in four subsequent outings, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
His price reflects his chance on current form and he will need to bounce back to his best in order to compete.
Not So Sleepy
Not So Sleepy hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth of five in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and his record in this race reads P55.
It’s hard to envisage the eleven-year-old improving on his previous efforts given the level of opposition this year. However, he will probably poke his head in front when the tapes fall on Tuesday and will ensure that this race won’t be run at a crawl.
Jason The Militant
Jason The Militant got his first taste of Cheltenham in January, when placing ninth in a run-of-mill handicap hurdle.
It’s been a long time since the nine-year-old has displayed any form that would merit his place in this race and he is therefore best watched.
Champion Hurdle 2023 Tips & Prediction
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle hero Vaubon should be improving all the time and he could get closer to State Man than he did at Leopardstown last month.
State Man made a mockery of a lenient handicap mark in the County Hurdle last year and hasn’t looked back since. He has already snared two Grade 1 prizes this winter and he is the only horse whom looks capable of offering any resistance to the favourite.
However, CONSTITUTION HILL is undoubtedly the horse to beat on all known form.
Nicky Henderson’s charge set the course record when landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last March and he’s won two Grade 1 races hard on the bridle this year.
Constitution Hill already boasts a rating of 173 after just five career starts and his best days are clearly still ahead of him, which is ominous for hit rivals in this contest.
