Expert Analysis

A one-sided contest, if not as one-sided as had been suggested by the betting and the Form Book going in, Constitution Hill too good for his rivals without thrashing them in the manner to which we had become accustomed. The pace he set played its part in that, if only its part, in that it was steady, with the finishing speed from the second-last coming out at 110.2%. The form looks high-class but no better than that.

CONSTITUTION HILL (h165 here, 184 previously) has set such a high standard in the hurdling division in the last 13 months that it came almost as a disappointment that he won this prestigious contest by just 3 lengths, though never in danger and clearly having a fair bit in the locker in doing so. He set a pace that was largely steady, several lengths up mid-race and jumping superbly as usual, was closed on a bit before quickening 2 out, then maintained his advantage, pushed out near the end. Not too much should be read into this, though it has to be said that he did not manifestly benefit from the longer trip in this instance. The way looks clear for him to become a multiple Champion Hurdle winner if the temptation of going over fences is resisted.

SHARJAH (h162 here, 157 previously) ran a bit better again than he had when fourth under a big weight in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham the time before, belatedly proving himself at 20f under these undemanding conditions, held up and running on into second on the flat. He has been a fine servant over the years and is still not far behind what he was capable of in his absolute prime in 2020 and 2021.

ZANAHIYR (h161 here and previously) confirmed his revival, getting much closer to Constitution Hill this time than he had in the Champion Hurdle, though flattered by that to a degree. He raced prominently, despite a blunder at the 3rd, and kept on for pressure while typically lacking a change of gear.

EPATANTE (h144 here, 150 previously) had won this impressively 12 months before but seems to have lost a stride or 2 since and only briefly looked like getting into it having been held up.

I LIKE TO MOVE IT (h149 here, 157 previously) shapes as if he will prove best around 2m, in contention for a place when not fluent again 3 out, edging left and finding little thereafter.

SCEAU ROYAL (h144 here, 154 previously) ran poorly for once, always behind and colliding with the wing of the third-last.