Constitution Hill will face the sternest of tests on his first run in 12 months against Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Much has been said and written about Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy since he took an impressive second win in the Grade One event last year.
No one could have imagined the trials and tribulations he had gone through during his connections, so much so that he saw his position as favorite for the Champion Hurdle in March taken by Lossiemouth.
First there was a disastrous run at Kempton when it was later revealed he was suffering from an infection which kept him out of Cheltenham, then there was a bout of colic.
Just when Henderson was hoping for a clear run with him earlier this season, another run at the racecourse went wrong when he came home from Newbury lame, meaning he could not run in the Fighting Fifth.
Constitution Hill has not been seen in the race since last year’s Christmas ban
He is now fit again and is reportedly firing on all cylinders, which he will need against Lossiemouth.
His only defeat came with traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Festival of Racing when he won the Triumph Hurdle, the International, the Mares’ Hurdle and the Hatton’s Grace last time out.
Lossiemouth dominated Hatton’s Grace and is now favorite for the Champion Hurdle
Trained by Willie Mullins in Rich Ricci colours, Lossiemouth is 15lbs behind Constitution Hill in the official ratings but has a 7lb mares allowance with the racing form he has on his side.
There are two other runners: James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ lump sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to Constitution Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino.
Spillane’s Tower tops the 11th in the King George blend
Gray Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are among 11 runners announced for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Dan Skelton’s Gray Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, looks to be the hosts’ choice after being upset by Haydock specialist Royal Pagail in last month’s Betfair Chase.
Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was sublime when landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the King George course and distance 12 months ago and deserves a lot of credit despite being taken last time out. were at Auteuil.
Il Est Francais wowed everyone with his jump when he won at Kempton last year
Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate General Ann Sheff, who was fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, while David Cottin-supplied contender Juntos Ganamos is also hoping to become the first French-trained winner of the King George since 2000 :
The strong Irish contingent is led by Spillane’s Tower, a two-time Grade One rookie for Jimmy Mangan last season, and JP McManus-owned rising star Fact To File strongly denied John Durcan at Punchestown a month ago.
Despite concerns about drying up, Spillane’s Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to the King George field last week. The Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross will also carry the McManus colors, with top amateur Derek O’Connor back on board for the first time since. , when winning by 17 lengths in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Spillane’s Tower and Mark Walsh take victory at Fairyhouse
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoy Allen also travel across the Irish Sea, but last year’s winner Hewick was not named as the connections favored him to run over hurdles at Leopardstown later in the week.
2022 King George hero Bravemansgame is looking to reclaim his crown and secure a record 14th race win for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Rounding out the field are L’Homme Presse, who is making his first appearance for Venetia Williams since finishing fourth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will be partnered by Gavin Sheehan; who led Huick. give glory 12 months ago.
