Cheltenham Champion Hurdle: State Man main challenger to Constitution Hill
Preview of the 2023 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle
We’re taking a look at the leading Champion Hurdle contenders ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Honeysuckle misses out on trying to become the sixth horse to complete a hat-trick of victories in the opening-day showpiece.
Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then and Istabraq all achieved that feat.
The Champion Hurdle odds suggest that this is a match between two outstanding candidates, but surprise results can occur, with Espoir d’Allen landing a 16/1 triumph in 2019.
We have already looked at the main contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and here are the leading fancies in the 2023 Champion Hurdle betting:
Constitution Hill
Has always been held in high regard by Nicky Henderson, who has saddled a record eight winners of this race, and a series of wide-margin wins so far have seen him hyped up as a monster capable of dominating for years to come.
After storming home twice at Sandown last season, Constitution Hill came home 22 lengths clear of stablemate Jonbon in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.
👑 Constitution Hill – all class in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
🏇 Five runs
🥇 Five wins
🏆 G1 Christmas Hurdle
🏆 G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
🏆 G1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
🏆 G1 Tolworth Hurdle
🐐 Superstar @sevenbarrows | @NdeBoinville | @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/UWvMrCHRED— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2022
The Michael Buckley-owned gelding has added two more Grade One trophies to his cabinet this term, scoring by a dozen lengths in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and then 17 in Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle.
Henderson declared: “He’s quick and fast and accurate and at the moment there’s no chinks in that armour because he’s got such a great mind.”
Jockey Nico de Boinville added: “Horses like him don’t come around very often – he is just sensational. He can do it any way and I don’t think you can beat him how he is at moment.”
State Man
Showed he can handle Cheltenham with a smooth success in last season’s County Hurdle and has since taken the step up in class from handicap company to elite level in his stride.
After signing off his novice campaign with an easy win at the Punchestown Festival, State Man kicked off this term with convincing victories in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Matheson Hurdle.
Honeysuckle was expected to give him a stiff test in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, but the six-year-old controlled that race from the front and quickened clear on the home run to score another decisive success.
Willie Mullins commented: “There’s other horses in the race as well, but at the moment State Man looks to be the leading Irish contender and Constitution Hill looks to be the English one.
“Constitution Hill could be a bit of a freak and maybe we’re going to be unlucky to come against a horse like that, but it’s all there to play for.
“Horses for courses is the old saying and State Man has won around the track, which is huge in our preparation. We’re looking forward to it and I’m sure they’re looking forward to it.”
Vauban
Has twice found stablemate State Man too quick for him on Leopardstown’s sharper track this season but a stiffer test of stamina at Cheltenham may play more to his strengths.
Vauban certainly came up the hill well enough when justifying favouritism in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and looks the best option for those seeking a bit of value with their Champion Hurdle bets.
I Like To Move It
Won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November and also the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on his most recent run.
Cracking performance! 🏇
I Like To Move It defies top-weight in the £100,000 Unibet Greatwood Hurdle with a brilliant performance in the feature @samtwiston | @NigelTwistonDav | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/4xIdQ22wFA
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 13, 2022
After accelerating away from Knappers Hill to score by an easy 17 lengths last month, jockey Sam Twiston-Davies said: “It was an impressive performance. He’s an incredibly pacy horse at home and he showed that.
“Obviously, Constitution Hill is an aeroplane, but there is massive money on offer for the place positions and he deserves to be there. To go and win is going to be incredibly tough, but it’s horse racing and you never know.”
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All odds and market correct at date of publication
