Ruby Walsh claims Constitution Hill 'holds all the aces' at Cheltenham
‘I would MUCH prefer the pressure of riding Constitution Hill than trying to figure out a way to beat him’: Ruby Walsh claims Champion Hurdle favourite ‘holds all the aces’ ahead of the Cheltenham Festival race
- Constitution Hill is viewed as the favourite for next week’s Champion Hurdle
- He is under pressure to deliver after having an exceptional last 12 months
- Ruby Walsh think he ‘holds all the aces’ ahead of Tuesday’s standout race
Cheltenham Festival icon Ruby Walsh believes Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill ‘holds all the aces’ heading into next Tuesday’s race.
Under trainer Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill had a breakthrough campaign last year, winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
He is yet to lose a hurdle event, and the pressure is on to deliver on the biggest stage, but Walsh has claimed he’d love to be in his position and feels his rivals face a major challenge figuring out how to get the better of him.
‘I would much prefer the pressure of riding Constitution Hill than trying to figure out a way to beat him. I wouldn’t be making it tactical or messy. He holds all the aces in this race,’ said Walsh, who was speaking at Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Preview Night.
Constitution Hill’s biggest competition could come from State Man, who has won six of his eight hurdle races and caught the eye at Leopardstown last month.
Constitution Hill is the favourite to win the Champion Hurdle race at Cheltenham next Tuesday
Constitution Hill has won all five of his hurdle races under trainer Nicky Henderson
Ruby Walsh believes Constitution Hill deserves to be viewed as the clear favourite
Trainer Tony Mullins has suggested that State Man should not be written off, and is capable of pushing Constitution Hill all the way.
‘State Man, I was very impressed with him in Leopardstown. State Man is a formidable opponent,’ Mullins added.
‘Constitution Hill, he looks unreal, but State Man is tough.’
Racing TV columnist Lydia Hislop has also been impressed by State Man, and believes he could have won the race in previous years, but views Constitution Hill as the overwhelming favourite after a stellar year.
‘I think he’s (Constitution Hill) the best hurdler I’ve seen. State Man would win most Champion Hurdles, but we know his form against Constitution Hill’s form just does not stack up,’ Hislop said.
CHAMPION HURDLE ODDS
Constitution Hill – 4/11
State Man – 11/4
Vauban – 9/1
Honeysuckle – 14/1
Epatante – 14/1
I Like To Move It – 14/1
Echoes in Rain – 20/1
Love Envoi – 25/1
Pied Piper – 50/1
Sharjah – 50/1
Zanahiyr – 50/1
First Street – 66/1
Not So Sleepy – 100/1
Jason The Militant – 100/1
*Odds provided by Paddy Power
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