Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
Grade 1 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £74,035 - 5 ran
raced keenly tracking leaders on inside, went 2nd at 4th, angled out home turn, led on bit 2 out, soon clear, canter
2 9½
5 11-10 149
led and set steady pace, pushed along and quickened turning in, headed 2 out, soon readily outpaced and no chance with winner
raced wide, tracked leader until 4th, rallied out wide 4 out, readily left behind as pace lifted turning in, rallied and went 3rd run-in
held up tracking leaders in 5th on inside, headway turning in, soon pushed along and not quicken, ridden in well held 3rd between last two, weakened into 4th run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly 4th, pushed along and unable to quicken before 2 out, driven between last two, no impression and weakened
This ended up something of a non-event in terms of competitiveness, but no race involving Constitution Hill should be described as boring, and he asserted his dominance imperiously in a race that tested speed, of which he has bundles. The pace was on the steady side for a long way and Constitution Hill’s remarkably quick 51.40s for the final 4f (including a split of just 12.05s from 3f out to 2f out) equates to a 112.4% finishing speed.
CONSTITUTION HILL (h160+ here, 184 previously) did not have to be near to his brilliant best to win his second Christmas Hurdle (had missed the Fighting Fifth due to its rearranged proximity to this) but won in such style that there should be little doubt that he could have done something really special here as well had it been required. He tracked the pace going well, was tanking along at halfway and quickened into the lead before 2 out, bounding away thereafter and having lots to spare, his quick and accurate jumping once again a notable feature. State Man put up a display of authority in Ireland over the festive period but Constitution Hill beat him easily by 9 lengths when they met at Cheltenham and is probably at least that much superior at this stage.
RUBAUD (h148 here, 154 previously) had won his 4 most recent hurdles and was suited by the speed-favouring conditions here but was put quickly in his place when it mattered by a brilliant rival, dictating before quickening after 3 out, headed and outpaced approaching the second-last. He is still on a mark (BHA 149) that should make him competitive in good handicaps which play to his strengths.
FIRST STREET (h146 here, 150? previously) was switched back to hurdles and ran respectably, looking like getting left behind when the pace increased after 3 out but rallying to a degree thereafter. This may be a bit sharp for him now.
BLACK POPPY (h143? here, 130 previously) appeared to excel upped markedly in class, but that is worth taking with a pinch of salt given the way this unfolded, held up in touch and keeping on. He was reported to have bled from his nose.
SCEAU ROYAL (h142 here and previously) ran respectably by his recent standards, in touch until outpaced before 2 out, retired after the race.
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 20 runs, 4 wins (2 horses), 0 placed, 16 unplaced | Next time out | 4 runs, 1 win, 0 placed, 3 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 0 runs up in class, 0 wins, 0 placed, 0 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 175; Highest placed OR: 175 |
