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Constitution Hill ultimately made it 10 wins from 10 starts in the Unibet Hurdle at the Cheltenham Trials (and very nearly tribulations) Day with what was an exhibition round until he dramatically fluffed the last.
Against four rivals, none of whom were rated within 29lb of him, nothing Constitution Hill could have done would have enhanced his reputation and, without insulting the opposition, the only threat to the best hurdler either side of the Irish Sea was going to come from one of the eight obstacles.
He was duly cruising to an effortless victory without coming off the bridle. Indeed, he was going too easily, was perhaps a little bored and did not have the revs when, in contrast to everything else Nico de Boinville had been telling him, the jockey suddenly asked him for a long one and a modicum of effort at the last. The eight-year-old put down, took the hurdle by its roots and, through a combination of cleverness and athleticism, remained upright.
“It was very good, bar the last,” said De Boinville. “He gave everyone a heart attack – including me. He was half asleep. If I’d woken him up at the second last it wouldn’t have happened.”
Trainer Nick Henderson concurred: “It all went to plan except the last. That’s not going to teach him anything. We know where we are now and it means we won’t have to gallop him so much before March, but Nico said we’d have to work him next week because he did so little. But we’ll give him the week off then start the engines up again and get ready for the invasion.”
Apart from Constitution Hill, two other horses – East India Dock and Potters Charm – came to Trials Day with big Festival aspirations. East India Dock left with his reputation enhanced but Potters Charm suffered his first defeat in six starts under rules at the hands of Sixmilebridge.
Lulamba, last week’s Ascot winner, is 6-4 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March but that is more on the combination of potential and his connections. The British form, it would seem, is with East India Dock, who has now won on both starts at Cheltenham by an aggregate 28 lengths.
Here, under Sam Twiston-Davies, the James Owen-trained gelding made all the running to beat Stencil by 10 lengths and earn a quote of 3-1 for March. A half-brother to smart hurdler Burdett Road, he may not be quite operating at that level yet – over hurdles Burdett Road has only been beaten by Sir Gino, Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth – but he continues to go the right way and, on the back of a 2½-month break, should come on again for this run.
“I don’t tend to get involved in instructions but Sam felt there were a few non-stayers in the race and wanted to control it from the front but he’s straightforward,” said Owen. “He’s got good solid form and will come back a good bit fitter in March. I certainly wouldn’t swap him for anything.”
To say L’Homme Presse is the best British hope for the Gold Cup is to damn him with faint praise. He was fourth last year behind Galopin Des Champs and, even though he damaged himself at the second-last that time, he is probably an each-way shot at best. If, however, the Gold Cup were a popularity contest it might be a different story.
“Every time I get on him I get excited,” said jockey Charlie Deutsch after narrowly beating Stage Star in the Betfair Cotswold Chase. “I was trying to work out why I was so happy getting in the car today. It’s like a fella who drives a fancy car at weekends – the only doubt is when you turn the key but, after that, it’s joy all the way.”