(3 minutes read)
Boxing Day this year serves up an absolute treat. The King George VI Chase is preceded by one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes in recent years.
The Willie Mullins trained Mares Hurdle superstar Lossiemouth takes on the imperious Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion hurdler and one of the most highly rated hurdlers of all time for the Kempton Christmas Hurdle.
But question marks remain with the Seven Barrows hero after a year of setbacks, illness, and doubt. We check out best bets and top odds from our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Lossiemouth
Currently holding favouritism for The Champion Hurdle in March (7/4 Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Boylesports), this Willie Mullins trained mare is certainly something special, having experienced seven victories out of her last eight runs.
She possesses pace and is economical over her hurdles. She made Teahupoo look very ordinary in her latest run at Fairyhouse in the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. And she has the 7ib mares weight allowance.
There is no doubting her outstanding ability. However, the possibility of beating Constitution Hill in his prime is open to question, considering that the Nicky Henderson horse has not even been pushed or come close to coming off the bridle in all his wins.
Constitution Hill
This is all about the words being spoken. A fit and fully functional Constitution Hill beats Lossiemouth by several lengths based on his extraordinary performances so far. All wins on the bridle without even breaking a sweat.
He has made Grade One winners like Jonbon and State Man look very ordinary indeed. However, the ongoing issues over the last year do present a concern which makes this selection very much a gamble.
His mediocre performance in a practice round at Newbury earlier in the autumn drew some attention, resulting in many bookmakers slashing his odds for The Champion Hurdle in March.
The Seven Barrows Soundbites
Constitution Hill’s jockey Nico De Boinville has been bullish regarding Constitution Hill’s return and speaking to The Racing Post said,
“I know where Constitution Hill is, and I still retain the faith. I ride him in all his major bits of work and I'm very happy with where we are, just tightening the final screws, and then we're all set. The dream is that he comes out and wins at Kempton and shows all his old sparkle, and I don't doubt him at all.
"Don't forget he still hasn't been beaten on the track. You're all doom and gloom but you don't know what's been going on, so I hope that on Boxing Day we can prove you all wrong and shut you all up."
Owner of the horse, Michael Buckley, has a similar fighting tone to his remarks when also speaking to The Racing Post.
“I listened to Ed Chamberlin, Tom Scudamore and Luke Harvey in the dark at the end of racing yesterday, talking about 'whether this horse can come back from injury'. Wake up guys, he's never been injured. He had a lung infection. It's like saying an athlete can't come back from the flu. It's absolutely ridiculous.”
We also think the doubters will be proved wrong. Even a 90% ready Constitution Hill should defeat Lossiemouth on current ratings, despite the 7ib pull in the mare’s favour.
Constitution Hill is best odds 5/4 best with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
The Others
Burdett Road and Lump Sum are really participating for decent Grade One place money. It would be the shock of the season for either of these to be involved near the business end of the race.
Having said that, the James Owen trained Burdett Road looked like a tough contender when winning the Cheltenham Greatwood Hurdle but will need to step up dramatically from that performance to figure here.
Verdict
It is a gamble getting behind Constitution Hill with all the recent issues the horse has suffered. A seasonal return against the likes of the brilliant Lossiemouth is hardly ideal either.
However, the Nicky Henderson trained enigma is something special and if anywhere near his best, he should take care of the progressive mare comfortably. Either way, it is the clash of the season and a race to savour.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (10am 25th December 2024) and are subject to change.
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