All roads lead back to the Champion Hurdle at Constitution Hill after surviving a bone-chilling last-fly error to seal victory in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The star of Nicky Henderson’s stable caused a sensation by winning the 2023 champion hurdles title, but was unable to defend his crown last season due to well-documented health issues.
However, Henderson, who proved his skills remained intact after successfully defending the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on his Boxing Day return, opted to throw the eight-year-old out a month later on Festival Trials day, a prohibitive 1/12 chance of eliminating five inferior opponents .
After initially taking the lead over Brentford Hope, Nico de Boinville found the pace too easy for Constitution Hill to turn straight back and allow him to clear the fourth hurdle.
From there he saw no other horse, and although the packed stands held their breath as he rowed through the final hurdle, it did little to stem his momentum as he sailed up the hill under the motionless rider, winning by three lengths.
Brentford Hope moved into a solid second place with Spirits Bay back in third place.
De Boinville admitted this ITV Racing: “My heart was in my mouth, he did everything so easily, but he found his leg and can barely breathe. I’m delighted with him, I’m just angry with myself more than anything else.”
