CONSTITUTION HILL’S jockey Nico de Boinville apologised to punters after winning the Champion Hurdle by NINE lengths.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star was astonishing in the big race on the first day of Cheltenham Festival.
But not everyone was cheering the horse’s runaway win at amazingly short odds of 4-11.
A load of punters had backed Constitution Hill to win by ten lengths or more at odds ranging from 2-1 to 3-1.
Bearing in mind the horse had won every single of his five previous races by 12 lengths or more, it appeared a really good price.
And it looked like coming in as Constitution Hill powered round the home bend, switched on the turbo and left runner-up State Man trailing in his wake.
But like when he won the Supreme last year, De Boinville started celebrating yards before the post.
That meant the horse slowed down approaching the line – narrowing the distance he was in front.
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And the official margin of victory was given as nine lengths, depriving punters of a payout on their bets.
De Boinville told Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman after victory: “He’s won hard held – and anyone who’s backed him for ten lengths or more – I apologise!”
One punter wrote in response: “If I had Constitution Hill by 10 lengths, I’d be demanding the tape measure was coming out after that run!”
State Man finished a distant second after being sent off 7-2 while Zanahiyr completed the places at monster odds of 66-1.
Constitution Hill was immediately installed as the 4-7 fav for next year’s Champion Hurdle.
But he looked like he could go round again after winning the top two-mile race for hurdlers.
And surely a career over fences – and possibly a spin at the Gold Cup – beckons in the future.
Speaking of what the win meant to him, De Boinville said: “What a horse!
“He’s come up out of my hand, he had loads left and he’s given me a terrific spin round.
“On a personal level, it’s been a dream of mine to get the big three (Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup) and I’m delighted to achieve it.”
Quizzed on a future over fences and going for the Gold Cup, De Boinville said: “I love having Michael Buckley as an owner, he’s a maverick character.
“I know for sure the guvnor (Nicky Henderson) will be up for it as well.”
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