Constitution Hill heads the market for the Champion Hurdle at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival after a dazzling Flat debut success at Southwell Racecourse.
There were raised eyebrows when Nicky Henderson opted to send his stable star to Southwell for a £40,000 1m4f novice contest, but the move paid off in emphatic fashion. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Constitution Hill stormed clear to win by nine lengths in a performance that reignited excitement ahead of March.
After falling in three of his previous four National Hunt starts, doubts had begun to creep in about whether his best days were behind him. That may still prove to be the case over hurdles, but his Southwell display was a powerful reminder of the raw ability that once made him untouchable.
Previously trading at around 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle, he has now been cut to joint favouritism alongside Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion, with Lossiemouth close behind.
His jumping remains the key question mark, and a Flat run just weeks before a championship hurdle is unconventional preparation. However, Henderson’s bold approach could yet prove inspired if Constitution Hill can reproduce that level back at Prestbury Park.
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brighterdaysahead | 5/2 |
| Constitution Hill | 5/2 |
| The New Lion | 5/2 |
| Lossiemouth | 10/3 |
| Golden Ace | 6/1 |
| Poniros | 12/1 |
| Ballyburn | 14/1 |
