Champion Hurdle 2023 Tips - Is Constitution Hill Britain's banker?

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Sun 12 Mar 2023 14:07

Jon Vine 12 Mar 2023

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Tips, odds and predictions for the 2023 Champion Hurdle [Updated 12/3/23]
This Grade One is the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Constitution Hill is our selection at 2/7

Expired

Nico de Boinville on Constitution Hill run to win the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle race during day one of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

Champions Day at the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by the Champion Hurdle. This historic race has been won by many of the sport's finest-ever hurdlers and it's last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner who currently heads the market.

Here's our free guide and tips for the 2023 Champion Hurdle.

Cheltenham 2023 Tips - Champion Hurdle 2023 Guide

Champion Hurdle 2023 Odds

Name	Odds
Constitution Hill	2/7
State Man	5/2
Vauban	9/1
I Like To Move It	12/1
Bar	20/1

Champion Hurdle 2023 Runners

Constitution Hill dominates the betting for this year's Champion Hurdle. Following his record-breaking victory in the Supreme 12 months ago, Nicky Henderson's star has recorded two effortless Grade One wins, beating Epatante in both the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Sitting closest to Constitution Hill in the market is Willie Mullins' State Man, who has recorded four Grade One victories since winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last season. Mullins will also be represented by last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, Vauban, who has twice placed behind State Man so far this season.

A small field is expected for this year's Champion Hurdle. Echoes In Rain, Epatante and Love Envoi look set to run in the Mares' Hurdle, as does two-time Champion Hurdle winner, Honeysuckle. First Street and I Like To Move it are more likely to run in the County Hurdle, with Jason The Militant unlikely to take up his entry.

Mullins' Sharjah could be allowed to run, while Gordon Elliott could be represented by both Pied Piper and Zanahiyr. Not To Sleepy was only beaten nine lengths in this race 12 months ago and Hughie Morrison's 11-year-old could return for another outing on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Champion Hurdle 2023 Verdict

A field of just seven runners has been confirmed for this year's Champion Hurdle. None of the outsiders seem likely to land a blow, so an each-way punt is out of the question.

In any other year, State Man would be a strong favourite and there's clearly more to come from Willie Mullins' star. However, State Man is yet to face a runner of CONSTITUTION HILL'S calibre and it's hard to see beyond the odds-on favourite.

Nico De Boinville's mount made his own running in the Fighting Fifth and comprehensively outjumped Epatante down the straight to seal a 12-length victory. At Kempton, that winning margin stretched to 17-lengths, with Constitution Hill again grinding his rivals into submission from the front.

Epatante is no mug. She's a six-time Grade One winner, who was made to look distinctly average by Constitution Hill. Nicky Henderson's star produced his most impressive performance to date over this course-and-distance at last year's Cheltenham Festival. De Boinville's mount relished the rapid pace set by Jonbon and Dysart Dynamo that day, and has since proven himself tactically versatile with two front-running successes so far this season.

Verdict

Champion Hurdle 2023 Tips

I simply cannot see a scenario where Constitution Hill is beaten. He might not be a betting proposition at 2/7, but he's the only runner worth backing in this year's Champion Hurdle.

Constitution Hill

Straight Win

@2/7 - 30 Units

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