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Hot favorite Constitution Hill will take on six rivals in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old has been sensational since his debut at Sandown in December 2021, winning all five of his starts under rule, including his last four at the top level.
He has not raced since sauntering to a 17-length defeat of stablemate Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, but the length of the hurdle-on gave Henderson a ninth victory in the full two-mile showpiece.
Willie Mullins saddles People of the Country, who has a little more experience and is unbeaten in six outings ended for coach Closutton after falling on his Irish debut. State Man has also won his last four Grade One contests and goes to Prestbury Park as Irish Champion Hurdle winner.
Mullins is second with last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Wauban lining up, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for Zanahiyrwho finished third in last year’s race but was later disqualified.
Paul Townend celebrates winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at State Man
Phil Kirby has announced Jason Militantwhile Nigel Twiston-Davies relied on I’m Happy to Movewho won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November and also the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in his last run.
The field is completed by Not So Sleepywho represents Hughie Morrison.
Marie’s Rock leads to the Mares’ Hurdle route
Stone Marie will defend his crown Obstacles of the Mares Brothers with eight-year-old one of three to line up in the race for Henderson.
Owned by Middleham Park Racing, he got the better of Elliott’s Queens Brook to win 12 months ago and will arrive at Cheltenham on Tuesday unbeaten at four after following up last year’s success at the Punchestown Festival and reappearing at Relkeel on New Year’s Day. .
Much speculation in the build-up to the Festival has centered around the possibility of Marie’s Rock running up to three miles to crack the Stayers’ Hurdle, but with the forecast conditions will be on the slow side throughout the week, the connection has been plumped for a shorter option that could steal the show on the opening day.
Marie’s Rock on his way to victory in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham
He is joined by his stablemates in the line-up amazing and Glory Theaterthe last two additional entries in the six-day stage, during last year’s champion Mares Novices’ Hurdle Love Post also take her chances.
The race is also a place for honeysuckleFarewell to racing as the dual Champion Hurdle heroine looks to record her fourth consecutive Festival victory and reclaim the prize she won in 2020.
Mullins saddles four as 14 to the post for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices odds. Easy Vega the head of the list of bookmakers looking to give the master Closutton six victories in the race in the past 10 years, when the Dublin Racing Festival conquers and stablemate. When also in the mix.
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Patrick Mullins thinks Facile Vega can beat Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novice Hurdle.
Royal Bond scorer Marine Nationalechampion Tolworth Tahmura and one-time Derby favorite High Definition that’s all the other important entries.
Two powerhouses are set to clash Arkle Live Sports with in Fabiola and Jonbon The main players among the nine declared, while Gaillard Du Mesnil is the choice of Patrick Mullins in concluding Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys ‘Novices’ Chase.
There are 23 declared for Ultimate Handicap Chase where Corach Rambler looks to defend the crown, when the full field is going to send for the usually ultra-competitive edition of Boodles Juvenile Handicapped Obstacles.
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