Spot on, I think more emphasis does be on Henderson runners as he wraps them up like a cotton ball. Didn't the same thing, or similar happen to Binocular as well before he won the race?
100% agree with you that these horses need to run more often and that wrapping them in cotton wool is slowly weakening the breed. A bit like getting kids out in the fresh air regularly. Strengthens the immune system.
Very disheartening to read about Constitution Hill these past 24 hours. Some of the reports and quotes from connections do not sound anywhere near promising, I'm afraid. Still if anyone can Lieutenant Henderson can. We now just have to wait and hope that his 'magic hands' can work another miracle. I see that there seems to be some uncertainty who the other horse (apart from Sir Gino) was who finished in front of Constitution Hill yesterday. But most reports are indicating it was Quick Draw - now 20/1 for the Kim Muir.
Lung infection. Will 2 weeks be enough to clear that up with anti biotics and get enough work in before Cheltenham. Don't see how he can be 100% on the day and it wouldn't be right to run him if not. Apparently, it's a mild infection so who knows
There has been a much more positive update from Lieutenant Henderson who declared, yesterday afternoon, that 'Constitution Hill appears perfectly normal this morning. He is bright and well and ate everything last night. His temperature has remained normal both last night and this morning'. Constitution Hill will be rescoped tomorrow morn. Looking at the NRNB market, re the Champion Hurdle, I note that with almost every bookie both Constitution Hill and State Man are now odds-on. Lossiemouth 7/2 with the springer in the market being Irish Point - now just 6's.
By Timeform — published 28th February 2024 The team at Timeform provide a handicapper to follow at the Cheltenham Festival following the publication of the weights this week. Theatre Man – Ultima Handicap Chase AND Cheltenham Plate (both NRNB) Some horses are just made for the Cheltenham ‘non-runner, no bet’ concession that is so widespread nowadays and Theatre Man, a likely big player in either the Ultima or Plate, looks the perfect vehicle for such. He’d be interesting in either, as he’s no sluggard with a view to the Plate yet saw things out so strongly on Trials’ Day that another crack at three miles for the opening-day staying handicap would be little issue in all likelihood. That power-packed finish came in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase that has proved such a rich pointer to future success in recent years and, with also-rans that day Prairie Wolf, Bowtogreatness and Blow Your Wad having already franked the form of this year’s renewal, Theatre Man’s form claims in getting closest to Turners-bound Ginny’s Destiny then are there for all to see. Back him for both. Dan Barber Cleatus Poolaw - Pertemps Final Progressive sorts promise to be thin on the ground in the Pertemps Final, and with that in mind, Cleatus Poolaw looks a very interesting contender. Leaving it until the last qualifier to book his spot at Cheltenham, he’s yet to race over three miles under Rules, though does have a point victory at that trip under his belt and promises to be well suited by the demands of this race. His record in Irish maidens includes a wide-margin success at Naas before chasing home the lightly weighted Noble Birth on his handicap debut there last weekend. He’d previously finished closest to Ballyburn when the current favourite for both the Supreme and Baring Bingham opened his hurdling account at Leopardstown at Christmas and will head to the Festival with a similar profile to the same connections’ Delta Work in 2018, the first of 3 straight victories in the race for Gordon Elliott, whose hand numerically this year is restricted to just Cleatus Poolaw and Farouk d’Alene. The latter will be conceding weight to all if declared and would likely be claimer ridden, leaving Jack Kennedy open to renew his partnership with Cleatus Poolaw with his recent suspension completed. Paul Goodenough Firm Footings – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Gordon Elliott has assembled yet another strong team of handicappers for the Festival and, in common with many of his stable-companions, Firm Footings currently holds multiple entries over a variety of trips. The fact that two of those handicap options are in excess of three miles is particularly eye-catching given that Firm Footings has been campaigned exclusively around the minimum trip so far over fences. He’s been keeping some good company along the way - notably when placed behind Arkle hopefuls Marine Nationale and Hunters Yarn on his last two starts – and that form puts him firmly in the mix off a BHA mark of just 140. Indeed, it’s not out of the question that there will be better to come over longer trips as his pedigree strongly suggests he’ll be suited by them, being a full brother Monty’s Star (who is among the favourites for the Brown Adivsory Chase on Wednesday) and a half-brother to the top-class staying chaser Monalee. Irish-trained novices have won four of the last five renewals of the Kim Muir (including two associated with the Elliott yard) and Firm Footings holds solid claims of following in their footsteps. Phil Turner Libberty Hunter - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Crebilly is a horse I’ve been keen on for a big handicap since his Exeter win over Tahmuras given his previous form against Ginny’s Destiny and Grey Dawning still leaves him looking very well treated on a BHA mark of 140, but he’s already favourite for his intended target so I’m deserting him for this article whilst retaining a connection by opting for a horse who beat him in a novice hurdle at Chepstow fourteen months ago. His name is Libberty Hunter and he gets in the Grand Annual off 139 which looks lenient. He would have been unbeaten over fences but for falling on his debut and his latest win over Matata at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day was easily his best effort yet after travelling smoothly as usual. Currently 12/1, he’s very low mileage for an eight-year-old and won’t have to improve much more to win again in a race where few of the Irish contingent make much appeal. Graeme North Batman Girac - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Batman Girac, a winner on his second start in France, was sent off 7/4 favourite for a traditionally informative Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in December on his first outing for Willie Mullins. However, he badly failed to meet expectations, hanging markedly to his left and shaping as if something was amiss as he trailed home a distant seventh. But there was a lot more to like about his effort when fourth in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. He was last of the 12 runners as they jumped two out, but he made good progress up the inside and stuck to his task well up the run-in to be beaten little more than five lengths. That offers a good platform to build on and this unexposed juvenile can prove much better than a mark of 133, mindful that he was his powerhouse stable's sole representative and strong in the betting for that Grade 3 at Fairyhouse. Tony McFadden
MILAN TINO for the Boodles. Dropped 10lb by the handicapper from its French rating. Another JP horse going to the festival potentially very well handicapped.
Took 12/1 e/w NRNB for Ultima a few days ago, no problem if he doesn't run, I have a replacement picked out in case that happens.
Constitution Hill out. https://www.racingpost.com/news/fes...-rules-star-out-of-the-festival-avyPz8f9pm1T/
It hasn’t really made the Champion Hurdle any more interesting or competitive. Instead of the 1-4 fav from a couple of weeks ago we now have a 2-5 fav.
Looks like Ms Lee is jumping on the champ hurdle bandwagon with CH a non runner. Oh I wish I’d had a little bit of that 50/1 ew instead of my Stayers Voucher. At least it was NRNB
