We are just over two months away from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and fans are taking close looks at the current meetings to keep an eye on the horses they feel can do the business in Gloucestershire in March.
The four-day extravaganza hosts some of the best races in the jump season and as such attract the superstars of racing. One race punters are already looking ahead to is the Champion Hurdle which takes place on the opening day of the Festival.
This year’s edition is setting up to be an incredible tussle between two powerhouses on the circuit right now in Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle. The former, trained by Nicky Henderson, has been taking the circuit by storm. The thoroughbred has won all five of his runs under rules and no horse has been able to get within 12 lengths of him in his victories.
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With the outstanding form Constitution Hill is in, it looks as though he will break a 70-year record at the Festival this year. Following his 17-length demolition of Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, the likelihood of another triumph in the Champion Hurdle has only increased. As such, bookmakers have priced the six-year-old at 1/4, and that would break the record of lowest-priced horse set by Sir Ken in 1953, who was priced at 2/5.
There is no doubt that he is going to be a massive threat to Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle who has won the last two Champion Hurdles. Queen of racing Rachael Blackmore has ridden the nine-year-old on both triumphs and it is likely we shall see the pair reunite for one final time at the greatest show on turf as Honeysuckle looks to go out with a bang.
The thoroughbred mare experienced her first career defeat last month in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, which could be a sign of her age or just a minor bump in the road for her last hurrah. Given her outstanding record in the Champion Hurdle, on a track she knows well and has enjoyed great success on, you cannot write her off despite the red-hot form of her latest rival Constitution Hill. She is currently priced at 6/1 to claim her third victory in the Champion Hurdle.
The biggest threat to the two will be State Man, entered by Willie Mullins. The six-year-old gelding has enjoyed five wins from seven under rules and, given Mullins’ history at the Festival, you cannot write off his entry having a huge say in this clash of the titans race. State Man is priced at 4/1.
It is sure to be an excellent battle between these magnificent horses and it is a great way to help kick-off the Festival on day one. It could even prove to be one of the highlights of the entire meeting and we cannot wait to see it unfold.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
