Racing’s golden hour
Even a Hollywood scriptwriter couldn’t have penned as great a story as unfolded on Cheltenham’s opening day
Cheltenham Festival, Glos
THE Cheltenham Festival will be hard pushed ever to better this year’s running – it had something of everything. But racing will be lucky if it can ever produce another hour to match the one given to us on Tuesday by Constitution Hill in the Unibet Champion Hurdle and, on her swansong, Honeysuckle in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Hollywood scripts are not that good.
Constitution Hill is on course to become the greatest, most able horse I have written about in 35 years. He is just so much better than anything else around, past and present. He finds it so easy that beating State Man, the best hurdler in Ireland and unbeaten in two seasons, by nine lengths – with Nico de Boinville apologising to those who backed him to win by 10 lengths or more because he didn’t ride him out – puts him in a Frankel-esque league of his own among jumpers.
“You can do anything with this horse,” said trainer Nicky Henderson. “You could jump a fence, you could go three miles. He’s had six races and has barely come off the bridle, but it won’t last forever so enjoy it while we’ve got it. Sprinter Sacre did amazing things for us, but this horse is in those echelons after six races.”
You would not put it past connections to try to repeat Dawn Run’s Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup double with this horse.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
