NICKY HENDERSON was bang on to pull Constitution Hill out of Ascot last Saturday.
I just think it’s a pity so much was made of it and that he’s had to argue his case so much.
It was the right call.
Look, good ground or good to soft in places in November is very different from that description in March.
In the spring you’ve had a whole winter’s rain and this year racecourses are coming off a very hot, dry summer.
That means that it can be like concrete just four inches below, and that’s what does the damage.
Constitution Hill is a big, robust jumping horse and not the sort you would run on a quick surface.
You can’t take risks and Nicky’s judgement was sensible, especially for the first run of the season.
Most read in Horse Racing
Coral Gold Cup complete runners and riders guide plus Templegate tip
This 100-1 JP McManus runner double can break the bookies at Newbury
My NAP looks a 3-1 banker for the Skeltons on day one of Gold Cup meeting
Racing shock as top trainer John Gosden fined £3,000 for positive drug tests
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets –CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
It will be great to see Constitution Hill against stablemate Epatante in this afternoon’s Fighting Fifth.
It goes without saying Epatante has been an amazing mare, and she was brilliant last season… but what Constitution Hill did in the Supreme was better than anything we’ve seen in a very long time.
Newcastle is a straightforward track and the ground should suit so I can see Constitution Hill leading home a Seven Barrows one-two.
The big race of the day at Newbury is the Hennessy — or, as it is now called — the Coral Gold Cup.
I like the chances of both Corach Rambler and Gericault Roque, but FIDDLERONTHEROOF (3.05) just about gets my vote.
He’s a high-class horse, is still only eight and he’s ultra-consistent. He ran a great race in this 12 months ago, was fifth in the Grand National in April and he might be able to go one better today.
There’s a good buzz around the Joseph O’Brien yard for Busselton too, and if he can win this, he’s a horse with a serious future.
In the Grade 2 novices’ chase (12:45) Gelino Bello has more potential for improvement than THYME HILL, in addition to carrying three pounds less.
Other runners I’ll be looking out for today are LUCCIA (12:15) and WALKING ON AIR (1:55), both from Seven Barrows.
Luccia was so impressive at Sandown last season, winning by 17 lengths, that she should be very hard to beat with the expected natural progression, and I’m expecting similar from Walking On Air.
It might only be his third start over hurdles, but that won’t be an issue coming from Henderson’s yard. I’d be very sweet on him.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article