Constitution Hill Falls Again: The End of a Champion?

Hi all,

It was another super weekend of action across Britain & Ireland. Grade 1’s both sides of the Irish Sea and of course the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.

So, plenty to look back on inside today’s main piece and I’ll begin not at Newbury but Newcastle where it was Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle Day.

Newcastle: Time’s Up for Constitution Hill

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but Saturday’s Fighting Fifth proved otherwise. Golden Ace, who had been the fortunate beneficiary of falls by State Man and Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, found luck on her side again. Constitution Hill came down at the second and The New Lion fell two out when in front. That left Golden Ace clear, and she battled on gamely to hold off Anzadam and Nemean Lion.

Golden Ace didn’t get much credit for her Champion Hurdle win, and she probably won’t for this. She only beat Nemean Lion (OR 151) by just under two lengths, and that’s not top-class form. But jumping is the name of the game. She jumps well. She battles. And those qualities win races.

Anzadam travelled strongly into the contest and moved through the field smoothly coming to three out. He just didn’t seem to relish the fight as much as the winner, and I wasn’t keen on his head carriage late on. That said, it was only his fifth start and his first run for 307 days. He’ll improve.

The New Lion was under pressure when he came down, so you couldn’t be confident he’d have won. I doubt we’ll see him ridden as close to the pace next time as he was on Saturday.

As for Constitution Hill, his confidence has completely gone. For me, retirement would be the kindest call.  Either that or run him on the flat. Let him be remembered as the brilliant Supreme and Champion Hurdle winner he was.

This season’s Champion Hurdle now looks wide open and Golden Ace is firmly in the mix.

Konfusion Delivers in Style After Haydock Mishap

The BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) drew just eight runners. These three-mile handicap chases are suffering from lack of horses in the division. We had a handicap chase at Haydock last Saturday, the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and we also have the Becher Chase at Aintree next Saturday.

Konfusion, who unseated when travelling well at Haydock last Saturday, put that mishap behind him with an impressive win. He raced handily and saw off Docpickedme coming to three out. Konfusion quickened up between the final two fences to pull clear of his rivals. There was a heart-in-mouth moment at the last for his backers – myself included – but he overcame that mistake and ran out an easy winner. The winner remains a progressive staying chaser firmly on the up.

Newbury: Panic Attack Powers to Historic Double

The Coral Gold Cup delivered an old-fashioned handicap chase spectacle. A full field of 24 runners and chaos from the start.

We began with a farcical standing start. The Doyen Chief lost plenty of lengths and was soon pulled up. Pic Roc also suffered badly.

Myretown bowled along in front, jumping well and in a good rhythm, but he came down at the ninth. That changed everything. Three Card Brag was left in front, with The Changing Man and Panic Attack travelling strongly in behind.

Turning for home, Panic Attack loomed up and took it up four out. I doubted whether the daughter of top miler Canford Cliffs would stay 3m2f, but she was ridden like a horse who would. And she did. She jumped the last like a proper stayer and powered away. Three Card Brag rallied again to snatch second from The Changing Man. You can relive the race here.

There were other good efforts in behind. Irish challenger Gorgeous Tom ran a cracker to finish fourth. Pic Roc stayed on well into fifth – a big run given his nightmare start. Meanwhile, the well-fancied Resplendent Grey never travelled. His jumping was poor, and he was struggling in the rear from an early stage.

The win was historic. Panic Attack became the first horse in 21 years to complete the Paddy Power / Coral Gold Cup double, and the first mare to win the race since 1959. She’s a rapidly improving chaser and now looks ready for a crack at Graded company over 3m+ in her current vein of form.

I was one of those who didn’t think Panic Attack wouldn’t stay 3m2f. I was wrong but it worth noting she was a qualifier using the trends I highlighted in last Wednesday’s column.

Monday Racing

Kempton

The Listed Hyde Stakes (3:27) is Monday’s feature. Holloway Boy, a Group winner on turf, is the class act, although he was well beaten in this race last year. Chancellor returned from a layoff and wind surgery to win a handicap here over 7f 28 days ago. He should stay the mile, and further improvement would put him right in the mix.

3:57 – Handicap (1m)

Metaverse, a C&D winner, bounced back to form when a ½-length 3rd of 14 here 26 days ago. He’s 2lb below his last winning mark and should go close if repeating that effort. United Approach also returned to form when a ½-length runner-up at Wolverhampton 7 days ago. If he builds on that run, he’s a major player.

Plumpton

2:35 – Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)

Believitanducan ran an excellent race when a good second on handicap debut at Newbury 25 days ago. The step up in trip should suit and he handles soft ground. He has a strong chance from what looks a competitive mark.

I’ll take a deeper look at other notable Newbury performances in Tuesday’s column, along with a review of the weekend’s big racing at Fairyhouse.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John