Punters split as Constitution Hill owner suggests jump racing’s biggest superstar will stay over hurdles
PUNTERS are totally split after Constitution Hill’s owner appeared to suggest jump racing’s biggest superstar will stay over hurdles.
Michael Buckley told Sky Sports Racing he needs to ‘feel sure’ the Champion Hurdle sensation stays three miles before even considering a move to the bigger obstacles.
Buckley said winning the Gold Cup is a ‘dream’ but added: “I don’t see much point in going from hurdles to two-mile chases, because he’s exceptional at what he does.”
Bookies reacted to the comments by cutting Constitution Hill to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, with only Bet UK still offering even money at the time of writing.
However, the prospect of the Nicky Henderson-trained sensation competing in the same races year after year leading to Cheltenham struck a sour note with some punters.
The six-year-old is unbeaten under rules and has won by a combined 89 lengths in seven races.
For last year’s Aintree Hurdle success he was sent off 2-15 fav and cruised the 2m4f trip to see off a then 157-rated Sharjah by three lengths.
The news Constitution Hill appears set to stick to hurdles was good for some punters who have already backed him for the Champion Hurdle.
But others said repeating what he has already done year after year was ‘boring’ – even if it meant he was to potentially go down as the greatest hurdler ever.
One punter said: “Get him over a fence. Show some ambition. Absolute bore off watching him bolt up in the next few Champion Hurdles.”
Another wrote: “He’s going to be Altior over hurdles then. I can’t wait to hope he loses the same five races he runs in for the next three years.”
One comment read: “Michael/Nicky, I’ve got a plan… Stick him in the King George on Boxing Day for a laugh to see if he stays 3m over fences.
“If he does then let’s just go guns blazing for the Gold Cup this year.
“If not, back to Champion Hurdle for next 25 years. Easy.”
Some disagreed, however.
One said: “Confirmed hurdling then. Lovely.”
While another fan, eyeing a potential payday, asked for the odds of the horse winning the next three Champion Hurdles.
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