Constitution Hill will need to be “as good as ever”

Breandán Ó hUallacháin — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:04:27 +0000

Nicky Henderson has stated that reigning Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill will need to be “as good as ever” in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day.

The 2023 Cheltenham Festival winner will make his eagerly awaited return to action in the Grade One on Tuesday next, a race he won by 17 lengths from now-retired stablemate Epatante twelve months ago.

Henderson has originally planned to run the Michael Buckley-owned gelding in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle but weather forced its cancellation at Newcastle.

The Seven Barrows handler then aimed his stable star at the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown, but he was declared a non-runner due to ground concerns.

Speaking about the six-year-old son of Rathbarry Stud’s Blue Bresil, Henderson said:

“He was ready for Newcastle, and he is ready for Kempton. He is big, well and strong. He came in looking very well. At one stage I was a bit behind as he was so big. He took a bit longer to get the shape back into him, but that is long gone.

“He has had to do a bit more work as it is all very easy to him. His schooling is unbelievable. 

“We have got to get out there and he has got to go through the motions. He has got to be as good as he ever was at Kempton, then we can look forward.”

No to Leopardstown and Punchestown

Looking at prospective races for the rest of the NH season for Constitution Hill, Henderson said:

“Constitution Hill could go to Kempton, Cheltenham, for the Unibet International Hurdle which they have stuck in on Festival Trials Day, then Cheltenham and Aintree.

“I would be tempted with Ireland (at the Punchestown Festival) but you have to be careful of the ground at that time of the year.

“He won’t go to Ireland (for the Dublin Racing Festival), definitely not, but I won’t look forward until Kempton is over.”

The post Constitution Hill will need to be “as good as ever” appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Kempton Park runners on St Stephen’s Day

Breandán Ó hUallacháin — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:00:57 +0000

Runners and riders have been confirmed for the opening day of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day.

Action will get underway at 12.45pm with the final race going to post at 3.40pm.

The six-race card will feature three Grade 1 contests: Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1.20pm), Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55pm) and the day’s feature the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at 2.30pm.

12:45pm Ladbrokes Boost Your Odds On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110y

Blow Your Wad (IRE) 5 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

Es Perfecto (IRE) 8 Mrs Liz Prowting Alan King

General Medrano (IRE) 6 Elite Racing 003 Emma Lavelle

Idalko Bihoue (FR) 5 Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

Kotmask (FR) 5 Aura Racing Gary Moore

Martator (FR) 6 Camilla Norton Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

Off To A Flyer (IRE) 6 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton and Mr J P Romans Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Outlaw Peter (IRE) 7 The Stewart Family,Dench,Ferguson&Mason Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Persian Time 5 McNeill Family & Stone Family Nicky Henderson

Russian Ruler (IRE) 6 Unique Financial Racing Partnership Nicky Henderson

Supreme Gift (IRE) 6 Sir T. Pilkington & Mr R. A. Pilkington Henry Daly

1:20pm Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) 3m

Giovinco (IRE) 6 Thunder Holdings Ltd & The Young Ones Lucinda Russell Stephen Mulqueen

Grangeclare West (IRE) 7 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Hermes Allen (FR) 6 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & J Diver Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Il Est Francais (FR) 5 Kelvin-Hughes & Haras De St Voir N. George & A. Zetterholm France James Reveley

Imagine (FR) 5 Caldwell Construction Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kilbeg King (IRE) 8 M.R.Chapman, E.Jones & H.Kingston Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

Klassical Dream (FR) 9 Mrs J Coleman W. P. Mullins Ireland

Marble Sands (FR) 7 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson Brendan Powell

Tightenourbelts (IRE) 6 Salvo & Alex Giannini, A Gemmell Emma Lavelle

1:55pm Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Black Poppy 7 West Coast Haulage Limited Kerry Lee Liam Harrison

Constitution Hill 6 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

First Street 6 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson

Nemean Lion (GER) 6 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Rubaud (FR) 5 Chris Giles & Brendan McManus Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Sceau Royal (FR) 11 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King

2:30pm Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) 3m

Allaho (FR) 9 11 10 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Bravemansgame (FR) 8 11 10 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Frodon (FR) 11 11 10 Mr P. J. Vogt Paul Nicholls Bryony Frost

Gerri Colombe (FR) 7 11 10 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Hewick (IRE) 8 11 10 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland

Royale Pagaille (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

Shishkin (IRE) 9 11 10 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

The Real Whacker (IRE) 7 11 10 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville

3:05pm ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets Maiden Hurdle 2m

Arthurian Fable (IRE) 6 Mrs Perle O’Rourke Richard Bandey

Balhambar (FR) 4 Peter Trainor Michael Bell

Court In The Act (IRE) 4 Heart of the South Racing 132 Harry Derham Paul O’Brien

Dancing In Brazil 4 James & Jean Potter Ltd Alan King

Gentleman’s Relish (IRE) 4 Lindsey Nash & The Famous Five Nicky Henderson

King of The Road (IRE) 4 Rocco’s Rebels Ben Pauling

Kotari (FR) 4 Heart of the South Racing 134 Gary Moore

Moon Chime 5 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Onethreefivenotout (IRE) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

Sea Invasion (IRE) 5 Mr Richard & Mrs Carol Cheshire Chris Gordon

Seattle King 4 Mr Trevor Johnson Phil McEntee Jack Quinlan

Selwan (IRE) 4 Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons Alan King

Soir de Gala (FR) 4 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nicholls

Support Act (IRE) 5 The M Team Toby Lawes

Thank You Ma’am 4 The Posh Pundit Syndicate Limited Georgina Nicholls

Too Much Hammer (IRE) 4 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

Wee Tony (IRE) 5 Mr S Reddin & partner Ben Pauling

3:40pm Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f

Artistic Endeavour 5 Mrs L.Bowtell & Mr P.Bowtell Tim Vaughan

Bear Ghylls (IRE) 8 Bradley Partnership Nicky Martin

Chance A Tune (FR) 8 Mr N. A. Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies

Classic Lord (GER) 5 Mr R Cox & The Pant Wilkin Partnership Tim Vaughan

Emailandy (IRE) 5 The Brooks & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Fable (FR) 8 Owners Group 078 Nicky Henderson

Kitty’s Light 7 R J Bedford & All Stars Sports Racing Christian Williams Jack Tudor

Mahons Glory (IRE) 7 C Nightingale & Hold My Beer Partnership Patrick Neville

Mark of Gold 6 Stevie Fisher & Friends Gary Moore

Mary (IRE) 4 Eventmasters Racing Ian Williams Charlie Todd

Pounding Poet (IRE) 7 Mrs T. P. James Tom Lacey

Will Carver (IRE) 8 Owners Group 064 Nicky Henderson

The post Kempton Park runners on St Stephen’s Day appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle Archives - SportsNewsIreland