March 15, 2022. That was the day racing fans and pundits alike were properly introduced to one of National Hunt racing’s modern greats.
We are, of course, talking about the venerable Constitution Hill — who made the entire sport sit up and take notice with an awe-inspiring victory in the opening race of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
With Ballyburn the short-priced favourite to follow in Constitution Hill’s footsteps and win the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle 2024, now seems like a good time to look back at the events of two years ago.
Constitution Hill’s path to Seven Barrows
The best place to start this story is where it all began for Constitution Hill.
Believe it or not, his journey to the 2022 Cheltenham Festival was not as straightforward as one might seem.
The equestrian star was beaten on his sole start in an Irish Point-to-Point, losing by a head to Anyharminasking in Tipperary.
That didn’t put owner Michael Buckley and trainer Henderson off from buying him, and they picked Constitution Hill up for a cool £120,000 in May 2021.
The build-up to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The build-up to the Supreme was much more plain sailing for Constitution Hill, as he blew away his opposition when winning back-to-back races at Sandown.
The then four-year-old made his yard debut at the Surrey racecourse in December 2021, and despite being second favourite, he streaked clear to win by 14 lengths from market leader Might I.
Constitution Hill reappeared at Sandown the following month for the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, and this time, the bookmakers made no mistake by pricing him at 2/5.
He romped home by a comfortable margin again, beating Jetoile by 12 lengths in the Grade 1 contest.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
There was an added air of excitement surrounding the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, as fans were back in attendance after the 2021 meeting was held behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
As usual, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle promised to be a thrilling start to proceedings — as bettors couldn’t decide whether to back Constitution Hill, Jonbon, or Dysart Dynamo with their Cheltenham sign up offers.
Those who sided with Constitution Hill got the week off to the perfect start, as he cruised home by a commanding 22 lengths from his stablemate Jonbon.
The three market leaders when in contention three out when Dysart Dynamo had a heavy fall, leaving Henderson’s duo to battle it out.
Constitution Hill took the lead two out and was clear before the last, easing up the Cheltenham Hill to win impressively and smash the course record.
The aftermath
Given all the variables in jumps racing, it is not uncommon for even the best National Hunt horses to have something of a blip in form.
However, two years on from that fateful afternoon at Cheltenham, Constitution Hill is yet to put a foot wrong.
He has won five more Grade 1s in a row, including the Champion Hurdle and two Christmas Hurdles at Kempton, while his prize money has now surpassed £730,000.
Buckley has also revealed that he has turned down offers that he ‘economically should have accepted’, but then he’d ‘miss out on all the fun’.