The Official Constitution Hill Thread 2025/26

[Len Madeiros]

It was great to see him win last night but realistically his only chance of (notable) success on the flat is in the Ebor. I'd wonder if he'd get the trip for the Ascot Gold Cup, and even if he did I really don't think he'd be good enough to challenge the likes of Trawlerman.

He would still be more competitive over hurdles

Not if he can’t jump them, he wouldn’t. And nor does he need to.

 

[mellows45]

He can jump them, he just sometimes doesn't.

Not if he can’t jump them, he wouldn’t. And nor does he need to.

 

[Len Madeiros]

He can jump them, he just sometimes doesn't.

Three out of his last four races, he has fallen. There is absolutely no need to risk a horse that good - and that loved - over another hurdle again. He has a lovely career path ahead of him; one with minimal risk.

 

[Slim]

He always “schools” well over hurdles at home. But he keeps clouting them on a racecourse.

Great performance last night - why would his owner even think of endangering the horse, by sending him back over hurdles? There’s more money to be earned on the flat, and there’s a still a great redemptive story to be told!

Someone literally just said that to me there. That does make it riskier to run.

 

[WandererSkyLight]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025210760587002075

I don’t know how true this is, but apparently if CHill runs at the Champion Hurdle, it will be his last steeplechase race, and will move to the flat after

 

[Slim]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025210760587002075

I don’t know how true this is, but apparently if CHill runs at the Champion Hurdle, it will be his last steeplechase race, and will move to the flat after

Good updates. Thank you.

 

[WandererSkyLight]

Good updates. Thank you.

I will say it still feels weird to see the Constitution Hill as a flat racer. But after Friday I want to see more of him on the flat

 

[WandererSkyLight]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025239339513643349

Racing post has put him at 103+

 

[Len Madeiros]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025210760587002075

I don’t know how true this is, but apparently if CHill runs at the Champion Hurdle, it will be his last steeplechase race, and will move to the flat after

Looks like he’s running in the CH, then .

 

[Robicheaux]

Looks like he’s running in the CH, then .

A sub standard field. Big temptation.

 

[notsodancingbrave]

An old saying that I think is very apt for CH in the CH, if he jumps he wins....

 

[Slim]

A sub standard field. Big temptation.

If I owned the colours, I'd run.

 

[Danny]

I wouldn't.

 

[Ian_Davies]

I wouldn't.

Neither would I.

It's probably a million to fall and die, but if it did, having fallen three of its last four runs over hurdles, and having helped me trouser 900 large over the years, it wouldn't just be the animal rights lot voting me **** Of The Year.

 

[Danny]

Neither would I.

It's probably a million to fall and die, but if it did, having fallen three of its last four runs over hurdles, and having helped me trouser 900 large over the years, it wouldn't just be the animal rights lot voting me **** Of The Year.

Exactly this.

 

[notsodancingbrave]

On the balance of probability based on his last 4 runs he will fall at Cheltenham, why take the risk when he has just proved he can be at least competitive at a decent level on the flat.

 

[Slim]

On the balance of probability based on his last 4 runs he will fall at Cheltenham, why take the risk when he has just proved he can be at least competitive at a decent level on the flat.

What price do you think the horse is to fall?

 

[Len Madeiros]

What price do you think the horse is to fall?

I think the likely scenario is that he runs, scares off a few horses from Ireland, and loses. Because Nico will still be riding him, he’s odds on to fall, too. And then we wait to see if he gets up.

I just don’t get any of this. I’m not an elite trainer/ coach/ athlete - I cannot begin to fathom the mentality. Does having a crack at Champion Hurdle immortality override every other consideration?

I suppose even if he scrambles home by a length, he’s still won two CHs three years apart. Is that “immortality” enough? Is that the glory?

I still think “Great Champion Hurdler transforms into handicap champion on the Flat” is just a good a story. And doesn’t come with the risk of hitting the top of a hurdle at 35mph.

 

[Slim]

I think the likely scenario is that he runs, scares off a few horses from Ireland, and loses. Because Nico will still be riding him, he’s odds on to fall, too. And then we wait to see if he gets up.

I just don’t get any of this. I’m not an elite trainer/ coach/ athlete - I cannot begin to fathom the mentality. Does having a crack at Champion Hurdle immortality override every other consideration?

I suppose even if he scrambles home by a length, he’s still won two CHs three years apart. Is that “immortality” enough? Is that the glory?

I still think “Great Champion Hurdler transforms into handicap champion on the Flat” is just a good a story. And doesn’t come with the risk of hitting the top of a hurdle at 35mph.

I coined the phrase 'Nico De Stonehands'. Not even he can get this beat if he jumps 10 hurdles.

 

[an capall]

He always “schools” well over hurdles at home. But he keeps clouting them on a racecourse.

Great performance last night - why would his owner even think of endangering the horse, by sending him back over hurdles? There’s more money to be earned on the flat, and there’s a still a great redemptive story to be told!

Respectfully.

If you think the decision that multi-multi (and ageing) millionaire Michael Buckley makes for his horse will be based largely on prizemoney you may be a tad misguided.

 

[Len Madeiros]

Respectfully.

If you think the decision that multi-multi (and ageing) millionaire Michael Buckley makes for his horse will be based largely on prizemoney you may be a tad misguided.

Then I’m still not getting it.

Is it genuinely about Buckley and Henderson’s ‘place in history’?

 

[an capall]

Mostly.

 

[Frankel]

Errr no!