Racehorses are the ultimate sporting heroes Who'd have thought an all weather race at Southwell on a Friday night would showcase the true essence of why horse racing is such a fascinating and compelling sport? For years the sport has been struggling with its identity, seeing problems where there often aren't any, apologising at every turn and repeatedly trying to reinvent itself with gimmicks like the Shergar Cup and Racing League where the focus is on the riders rather than the horses. When you strip everything back, the clue to the real attraction of the sport of horse racing is in the name itself. It is simply about horses racing. Racehorses don't carry the same baggage as other sporting stars. No sex scandals, no temper tantrums and no massive egos to water down their appeal. There are no haters when it comes to horses like Constitution Hill. The entire sport and all of its fanbase want to see horses like him perform to the best of their abilities. The Intriguing Return of Constitution Hill The appearance of Constitution Hill, a supreme hurdler at his peak before a series of high-profile mishaps rubbed the lustre off a glittering career, in an all-weather flat race just over two weeks out from Cheltenham was utterly intriguing. Wouldn't he be better off having a hurdle race prep for Cheltenham? Would he handle the synthetic surface? Was he too old at nine to compete on the flat? Does he still retain all of his ability? Would his wide draw be an issue? And what about the opposition? If he were to win, would he then stick to the flat? If he were to run poorly, would it signal an inauspicious end to a once great career? These were the types of questions that every racing fan was considering and the debates it stimulated both inside and outside the sport were absorbing. Everywhere I went over the past week or so people were talking about Constitution Hill. Dozens of WhatsApp messages and texts from colleagues, friends and acquaintances. Everyone asking for my opinion, before offering their own. A question from the barmaid in my local pub summed it up for me. She simply asked me "will he win?" No need to qualify the question with details of what she was referring to, we both knew it was Constitution Hill. Article highlights: Constitution Hill's flat race debut created unprecedented buzz throughout the racing community The champion hurdler exceeded expectations with a stunning 9.5 length victory at Southwell His performance raises exciting possibilities for both hurdle redemption and a potential flat racing career His owner is considering an ambitious plan to target the Melbourne Cup in November A Performance That Exceeded Expectations The race itself on Friday exceeded even the wildest of expectations. Who'd have thought he could blow the opposition away with such ease. He hit 40mph on his way to a stunning 9.5 length victory in a time that was 4 seconds quicker than the average for the course and distance. The runner-up is considered a Group class horse by his connections which gives some indication of the potential Constitution Hill has on the Flat, despite his age. He is still of course a relatively lightly raced horse considering how much he has achieved over hurdles. This was only the sixteenth race of his life. If another hurdler, two stone inferior to him, could win a Breeders Cup Turf for Willie Mullins last year, there is no reason why Constitution Hill cannot also compete at the highest level on the Flat now that we have witnessed his aptitude for that discipline. His owner is talking about an audacious plan to target the Melbourne Cup in November. It would require an awful lot to go right for that to materialise, but it at least ensures the debates and conversations about this unique talent will rage on long after next month's Champion Hurdle swansong. Unfinished Hurdle Business His participation in the Champion Hurdle is not yet confirmed. He needs to pass a schooling session over hurdles in the coming week before getting the green light, but he simply has to go to Cheltenham. If he is fit and well come the 10th of March it would be unforgivable if he is left standing in his box as the runners make their way to the start of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He has unfinished business there. Regardless of what he may achieve over the next year or so on the Flat, his connections must let him have one more shot at redemption over hurdles for both himself and his regular pilot. At his peak, and who is to say he is not still at his peak, Constitution Hill will be near impossible to beat in this year's Champion Hurdle granted a clear round of jumping. Obviously, a clear round is far from certain at this stage with three falls in his last four hurdles outings, but when he gets the jumping right he is a sight to behold. A True Superstar's Legacy He beat Jonbon 22 lengths eased down to win a Supreme Novices Hurdle and left State Man trailing in his wake when a 9 lengths winner of a Champion Hurdle over the same course. Two pieces of form that stand up to the closest of scrutiny. Presuming Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley do roll the dice correctly and let Constitution Hill line up at Cheltenham, strap yourself in for a rollercoaster four minutes of sporting bliss. A true superstar attempting to put the record straight on the biggest stage is compelling in any sport, but all the more special when it is a racehorse.
