3 minute read

Constitution Hill v Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle

Now that is a really fantastic prospect and while there are only 4 runners it is really between the champ and the challenger.  The champ as we know has been off the track for some time but Nicky Henderson would not have him here if he wasn't ready for it.  It will be great if the old magic is still there.  And the mare Lossiemouth is the toughest challenger he's faced – she is on the up and up and away and while Willie Mullins has Cheltenham on the horizon she would not be here – and facing Constitution Hill – if she wasn't 100%.

As an aperitif the Kauto Star Novices' Chase in Memory of Nigel Clark is Gr 1 and has a field of 5.  The Jukebox Man is on evens as his record is 1-3-2-2 and 1 which is impressive in any language.  The main challenger would by Hyland, a stablemate of Constitution Hill, on 7/2 wit Nico de Boinville in the irons.

And of course the King George Vi Chase – normally the headline race for the day but upstaged this year by the Hurdle.  11 starters with the very promising Spillane's Terrace on 10/3 for Mangan-Walsh.  Il Est Français is a c&d winner and a serious contender on 4/1 and Bambridge on 5/1 for JP O'Brien and Paul Townend.  We have a roughie here in 10yo Envoi Allen – he can't read what his age is and seems to be jumping very smoothly so worth a bit of e/q on 10/1.

The forecast is good – cloudy and around 9.