Of every horse paraded around Cheltenham at this year’s festival there can surely be no bigger certainty. At least, on paper.
Constitution Hill doesn’t just do wins; they come with elan, grace, elegance and above all sheer thunder.
Having romped to the Supreme Novices’ crown last year on his Cheltenham bow, Nico De Boinville has since not seen his mount win by less than 12 lengths.
Even those two occasions saw veritable canters to victory at Sandown last January and also at Newcastle at the start of the calendar year.
Looking to seal the Champion Hurdle this year, can anyone touch Constitution Hill at Cheltenham?
A sporting Constitution
When we talk about Constitution Hill, this horse lives up to his name.
But such the meteoric rise to stardom, his career has not yet reached its two-year anniversary.
Nevertheless, trainer Nicky Henderson has groomed one of the finest thoroughbreds around, even if a maiden outing saw his only career defeat to date.
Pipped by a head to Anyharminasking at Tipperary in April 2021, this rest as they say is history.
Almost to underline the scorn of losing his first race, the distance this British gelding has won by from that point has been startling.
Preparing for Cheltenham with successive destructive takedowns of last year’s runner-up Epatante, Constitution had marked territory for this very week in March.
Yet, it was the size of winning margin 12 months ago that still stands as the most staggering of performances.
A year on from that 22-length blitz of Jonbon, can any horse even hope to hold a candle when faced with the might of Constitution Hill and the Cheltenham roar?
State Man lurks
The one figure who threatens to play spoiler is State Man.
Simply put, there is no true way to compare just how Willie Mullins’ 6yo could match up to the might of his foe.
However, after taking down Honeysuckle and Vauban this term, the pedigree is there, not to mention State Man being a Cheltenham winner last year in the County Hurdle.
Then, there is also the small matter of a six-win streak coming into this contest.
The general consensus is, if State Man can remain with Constitution Hill turning for home and heading up the hill, Paul Townend will fancy his chances of going nose to nose with Nico.
But getting to that point is going to be a tough task. 1/4 odds say as much.
If stable reports are to be believed, Constitution Hill is coming into the best form of the season just in time for Cheltenham week.
For all that stand before him, that is a fearsome thought.
