Liam explains what he would do with Constitution Hill for the next 2 seasons (in an ideal world) and why!

For the most part, this would be the ‘Altior’ route however I would be keen to let Constitution Hill into open company earlier

Race 1: 2m2f Novice Chase at Kempton. (late November)

A number of reasons to start here. It’s an easy 2m2f, it’s getting experience of Kempton and their fences and it was a starting point for Altior.

Race 2: Henry VIII Novice Chase at Sandown (early December)

If you are as good as Altior and Constitution Hill, the race at Kempton previously will have simply been a schooling session so wouldn’t have taken anything out of him so the short gap between races is fine. It’s a good race for Novices with plenty of fences and jumping and it’s a Grade 1 so worth winning.

Race 3: Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton (late December)

This is where I would slightly change the ‘Altior route’. Altior ran in the Novice Wayward Lad Chase but looking at previous winners (taking out the Henderson winners) of the Desert Orchid Chase, it’s not a race to be feared at this stage of his career. Special Tiara, Politologue, Bun Doran, Nube Negra and Editeur Du Gite were the most recent winners. Altior also had not had any P2P experience so chasing was new to him so the slower approach made sense.

Race 4: Game Spirit Chase (early February)

Back on the ‘Altior route’ and this was the first time Altior stepped out of Novice company. Again because he was so classy he was able to run here against the more experienced chasers and win. Constitution Hill will have already been out of Novice company at Kempton (if following the above) and this race looks ideal with Cheltenham just over a month away.

Race 5: Champion Chase at Cheltenham

His 5th run this season and 6th run over fences would be the final race of the season with Aintree and Punchestown ignored. He would likely come up against Energumene looking for his 3rd Champion Chase. I would still be confident of a win for Constitution Hill.

Race 1: 2m4f at Carlisle in (late October)

With no run since Cheltenham, an easy starting point whilst also stepping up slightly in trip would be ideal and this race looks perfect. This year’s winner was Beauport…..so it’s not a hard to win.

Race 2: King George (late December)

Last season (on above plan) he started out in races he should be winning and so it would have been possible to run 5 times in the season as a few would have been just schooling sessions. This season, his 2nd run would be in the King George. It’s an easy 3m so his stamina isn’t really being tested yet but he’s getting to take on (probably) the best of the British horses and maybe a couple of Irish (how good would a Galopin Des Champs vs Constitution Hill vs Bravemansgame be!)

Race 3: Denman Chase (early February)

To get him experience over what feels like a proper 3m, this race looks ideal. It doesn’t always attract the very best horses either (Zanza, Eldorado Allen, Secret Investor last 3 winners). I always think Newbury form works well at Cheltenham and getting him a good run around Newbury would set him up perfectly for a tilt at the Gold Cup.

Race 4: Cheltenham Gold Cup

He’s now had experience against better horses in the King George without testing his stamina and then tested his stamina at Newbury without taking on better horses. He’s now ready for the Gold Cup!

So if in 2023/24 season Constitution Hill turns up in the Champion Chase, Jonbon can step up to the Ryanair. I think El Fabiolo would also be in that race but Jonbon clearly wouldn’t beat Energumene over 2m so trying to take on El Fabiolo over 2 1/2 mile looks a much better option.

Target: Ryanair

With Jonbon running in the Ryanair, this means Shishkin could be re-directed. Having clearly had issues with Cheltenham and his jumping again but staying on well, I wonder whether they may be tempted to drop back over hurdles and run in the Stayers. He would have definitely gone close in this year’s very weak renewal.

Target: Stayers Hurdle

You really should be signed up for the BEST RATINGS & Analysis around!