The curtain has only just come down on the Cheltenham Festival, but we’re an impatient bunch here at Paddy Power News as we’re already thinking about next year’s mega March meeting.
Our attention has specifically turned to what’s next on the agenda for Constitution Hill, who delivered an awe-inspiring performance at last week’s fiesta to become the first horse to do the Supreme-Champion Hurdle double in more than 50 years.
It’s pretty clear that Constitution Hill is a generational talent, but owner Michael Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson face a dilemma over his path for the next 12 months.
The six-year-old gelding is available at single-digit odds with Paddy Power for no fewer than five races at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Th big question is which one will we see him in?
The Champion Hurdle would be the logical starting point for connections to consider as he has age on his side and could, quite frankly, dominate the division for years to come.
Unsurprisingly, Constitution Hill is the antepost favourite in our Champion Hurdle odds after readily seeing off State Man, but he could face a new challenger in the form of Impaire Et Passe if he goes for a repeat victory.
The Aintree Hurdle in April looks set to be Constitution Hill’s next race and it could be the final time we see the monster over flights if connections opt to go down the novice chasing route next season.
Paddy’s trusty traders rate the Arkle Chase as the most likely novice race at next year’s Cheltenham Festival that the son of Blue Bresil could tackle and he is the early favourite for the minimum-distance contest.
Constitution Hill is also the antepost market leader in our Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase betting, although the price from our traders suggests it is the least likely race of the Grade 1 trio that could be tackled.
There is also the Turners Novices’ Chase for which he is the second favourite behind Impaire Et Passe, who was an impressive winner of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Alternatively, Constitution Hill could be stuck into open company over fences by the time the Cheltenham Festival rolls back around.
The Champion Chase has the potential to be a hot contest if the likes of Edwardstone and El Fabiolo as well as two-time winner Energumene take their place in the field.
Finally, owner Buckley has admitted he dreams of emulating Dawn Run by adding the Cheltenham Gold Cup to Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle crown.
It would represent a massive step up in trip and our Cheltenham Gold Cup odds suggest it may not be a likely prospect in the immediate future, but a clash further down the line with Galopin Des Champs would be something to savour.
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
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