Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth on course for Christmas cracker

By Staff reporter
Published 20th Dec 2024, 13:35 GMT
Updated 20th Dec 2024, 13:55 GMT
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A mouthwatering clash between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth remains on the cards after both horses featured at the six-day stage for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill has not been seen since winning last year’s renewal, where he was again majestic in victory, beating Rubaud by nine and a half lengths as the 1-12 favourite.

His problems since have been well documented, however, and in Lossiemouth he will face the rising star of the division.

In the care of Willie Mullins, the Rich Ricci-owned five-year-old landed the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and has the benefit of an outing already this season, winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in style at Fairyhouse. Perhaps crucially, she will be in receipt of a 7lb mares’ allowance from Constitution Hill.placeholder image
In the care of Willie Mullins, the Rich Ricci-owned five-year-old landed the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and has the benefit of an outing already this season, winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in style at Fairyhouse. Perhaps crucially, she will be in receipt of a 7lb mares’ allowance from Constitution Hill.

In addition to Constitution Hill, Henderson has also given the option to Sir Gino, who so brilliantly stepped in for his stablemate in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Speaking in his latest blog for Unibet, which was posted on Thursday, Henderson said: “Everything is going well, they (Constitution Hill and Sir Gino) are both in the Christmas Hurdle and no decisions are being made yet.

“If everything goes according to plan with Constitution Hill, then he will run in the Christmas Hurdle. He didn’t make it to Newcastle and Sir Gino stepped in, but recently everything is going well.

“He looks really good, super in his skin, his work has been good, so if we get the following wind, we might well get there, which will surprise everybody as nobody believes me.

“Sir Gino is a very high-class horse. You’ve got to bear in mind that State Man comes into the equation with him because they are both owned by Joe Donnelly, so there is a moment and does he want them meeting down the line, he’s also got another horse with Willie that looks really good (Anzadam).placeholder image
“Sir Gino is a very high-class horse. You’ve got to bear in mind that State Man comes into the equation with him because they are both owned by Joe Donnelly, so there is a moment and does he want them meeting down the line, he’s also got another horse with Willie that looks really good (Anzadam).

“Does he want them taking each other on? And it’s a bit like that for us with Gino and Constitution – and a certain part of us says do we want to keep them all apart.

“We can do that by switching Gino to fences and it is possible. We have schooled Sir Gino over fences, he’s very good at it and he could maybe run in the Wayward Lad the next day.

“It’s got to stay open and it will be a last-minute call and I hope it goes the way we all want, which will mean Constitution Hill on Boxing Day.”

Aside from the big three, James Bowen has entered the high-class Burdett Road, while Jeremy Scott has put in his smart mare Golden Ace. Calico (Dan Skelton), Lump Sum (Sam Thomas) and Nemean Lion (Kerry Lee) complete the eight-strong field.

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