God, I still can't believe how quickly things can unravel in racing. One minute you're watching what many (myself included) thought was the second coming of Istabraq, and the next... well, here we are.
Nicky Henderson has finally pulled the plug on Constitution Hill's potential Ascot Gold Cup bid - a race worth a cool £650,000 - after what can only be described as the most spectacular fall from grace since my ex tried to convince me she "just happened" to be at the same restaurant as her gym instructor. Twice in one week.
From Superstar to... Whatever This Is
Let's not sugarcoat it. Constitution Hill has gone from being the most exciting hurdler in a generation to a horse that can't seem to remember what those wooden things in front of him are actually for. His season has been nothing short of catastrophic - falling at both Cheltenham and Aintree (still can't believe I saw both with my own eyes), before getting absolutely schooled by State Man at Punchestown.
The only bright spot? That Christmas Hurdle win over Lossiemouth, but even then, Willie's mare ran so below par that my grandmother could've given her a race that day. And gran's been dead for 12 years.
What the hell happened?
Henderson himself seems as baffled as the rest of us. After that Punchestown humbling (where Consti finished 5th of 6 and a massive 27 lengths behind State Man), the Seven Barrows maestro admitted: "Something has obviously gone wrong because that's not him and our job is to try to unravel the mystery."
I bumped into a former jockey at Sandown last week who reckons it's "all in his head now" - not exactly scientific analysis, but watching him at Punchestown, jumping his hurdles like they were the Grand Canyon, it's hard to disagree.
The Flat Dream That Never Was
Remember back in 2022 when we were all fantasizing about Consti potentially having a crack at teh Melbourne Cup? Or the whispers about Royal Ascot? Those days feel like ancient history now.
Henderson has officially scratched him from next month's Gold Cup, 11 days before the deadline. If we're being honest, the 2m4f at Ascot would probably have been too far anyway, and taking on Kyprios? That would've been like me challenging Usain Bolt after a night at the pub.
The bookies had him at 33-1. Even at those odds, I wouldn't have been tempted.
Meanwhile, in France...
While Constitution Hill's career hangs in the balance, Henderson (who turns 75 this year - how is that possible?) pulled off a stunning £33K heist in France with Aston Martini this week.
She absolutely demolished the odds-on Il Est Francais in a Listed hurdle. I was watching it with my mate Dave who nearly spat his coffee across the room when she cruised past what was supposed to be one of the most exciting chasers in training.
Henderson seemed almost apologetic afterwards: "It nearly scuppered our plan to see Il Est Francais in the race, but she was amazing."
The man's still got it. And apparently he rode at the same track 50 years ago in a cross-country race. Fifty! I wasn't even born then (though only just).
Spring Cleaning at Seven Barrows
It's not all winning in France and scratching superstars from big races for Henderson. He's having what my mother would call "a proper clear out" - sending 21 horses to the Doncaster sales later this month.
Makes you wonder if Constitution Hill might benefit from a change of scenery too? Not that I'm suggesting Henderson can't fix whatever's gone wrong... but sometimes a fresh approach works wonders.
Matt Chapman certainly thinks it might help Il Est Francais, suggesting on Sky that the French star should actually move TO Henderson's yard: "Perhaps different surroundings, a different feed, whatever might make a difference to the medical condition – or whatever it is he has."
Ironic, that.
Where do we go from here?
I spent £240 on tickets and travel to see Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in March. Watched him fall at the third. My friend (who'd never been racing before) turned to me and said "Is that supposed to happen?" Poor guy thought I'd dragged him to see the equine equivalent of Messi only to witness... well, not Messi.
The big question now is whether Constitution Hill can ever rediscover his mojo. The talent's obviously still there somewhere, buried beneath whatever mental or physical issues are plaguing him.
But racing can be cruel. Sometimes they come back stronger than ever (Sprinter Sacre, anyone?), and sometimes... they don't.
For now, I imagine it'll be a summer of head-scratching for Henderson and owner Michael Buckley. And for the rest of us? Well, we'll always have those memories of what Constitution Hill was, even if what he becomes is something entirely different.
A reminder about gambling sensibly...
If you're tempted to bet on Constitution Hill's comeback (whenever that might be), remember to gamble responsibly:
- Set time and money limits before you start
- Only gamble with money you can actually afford to lose
- Never chase losses (I learned this one the hard way in 2019)
- Don't gamble when you're feeling emotional or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
You can find more detailed guidance on responsible gambling practices on The Sun's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most prestigious horse racing events in the UK?
The United Kingdom hosts several acclaimed horse racing events that attract audiences worldwide. The Epsom Derby, The Grand National at Aintree and The Royal Ascot are among the most prestigious. These events not only showcase the finest equine talent but also offer rich history and tradition, and have become social occasions with distinctive dress codes and royal patronage.
How does the handicapping system work in UK Horse Racing?
In UK race horse racing, handicapping is used to give all horses an equal chance of success. In essence, the weights that horses carry in a race are determined by their previous performances. The heavier the weight, the better for horses that have a good past performance. The British Horseracing Authority is responsible for the handicapping process in the UK, and their team of handicappers regularly updates ratings following the results of races.
What is the UK horse racing 'Classics?
Classics refers to the five most prestigious races in UK thoroughbred racing. These are usually considered the best contests of three-year-old horses. The 2,000 Guineas (also known as the 1,000 Guineas), The Epsom Derby (also called The Epsom Oaks), and The St. Leger Stakes make up this series. Winning one of these Classics is a significant achievement for any racehorse, and attaining victory in all three of the races open to a specific gender (either the colts' Triple Crown or the fillies' Triple Crown) is a rare and historic accomplishment.
How can I learn to read a racecard?
It is important to read a racecard in order to understand the race and the horses that are running. A racecard lists the following details: the horse's age, weight, trainer, jockeys, past form figures, and the color of silks worn by jockeys. By learning how to interpret these data, you can better gauge each horse's chances. As part of their customer services, many betting services and racecourses provide guides on reading racecards.
How do you ensure the safety and well-being of both horses and riders during a race.
The safety and welfare of both riders and horses are paramount in UK Horse Racing. Racecourses must meet strict safety standards. This includes the condition of tracks and the quality or the jumps. Horses are inspected for health before and after racing, and jockeys must wear safety equipment such as body protectors and helmets. In addition, there are rapid response teams as well as veterinarians who are ready to take care of any incident.
Can you explain what the 'Going' is in horse racing?
The surface of the racecourse on the day of the race is called 'going'. The 'Going' is an important aspect that can impact the performance of the horse and the result of a race. The 'Going' can range from heavy, indicating a very soft and wet track, to firm, indicating a hard and dry surface. There are a number of gradations between the two, such as good to soft and good to hard. Trainers, jockeys and owners must consider 'Going’ when selecting racing equipment or strategies.
Statistics
- Horse racing contributes an estimated £3.7 billion to the UK economy directly and indirectly each year.
- The National Hunt racing season in the UK sees approximately 1,000 races with hurdles or fences each year.
- British horse racing generates over £350 million in annual tax revenues for the UK government.
- In the UK, more than 14,000 people are employed directly in the horse racing industry.
- Approximately 6 million people attend horse racing events in the UK each year, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country.
- The Grand National at Aintree boasts a prize fund of around £1 million, making it the most valuable jump race in Europe.
External Links
How To
How to access live horse racing coverage in the UK
Subscribe to Sky Sports Racing or Racing TV, which offer live coverage of races in the UK and expert analysis. Some online betting sites offer live streaming to account holders. Sometimes, a small bet is required to gain access. A number of major racing events and festivals are broadcast on free to air television. ITV covers a few races each year. You can watch live racing on mobile by downloading the apps of betting sites or dedicated channels.
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