RUNNING Up That Hill has been a huge hit once again for lovely Kate Bush over the last 12 months — but racing fans know it takes on a whole new meaning at Sandown on Saturday.
Oh yes, people, the sport all of you love is being battered on a multitude of fronts, but, amidst the troubled waters float the stars themselves.
PAConstitution Hill will start his march to Cheltenham glory at Sandown on Saturday[/caption]
Let’s just dive in and enjoy what the game is all about, because there’s no bigger draw than the return of the world’s best jumps performer Constitution Hill.
Chappers’ Saturday NAP
TRUCKERS LODGE (3.35 Sandown) is a dour stayer and will relish this 3m 5f trip. Freddie Gingell takes off a handy 5lb.
I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to be heading to the Esher track for ITV to report on this afternoon’s rescheduled Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle which, after a little ‘will-he- won’t-he-run’, is set to mark the seasonal return of Nicky Henderson’s so far flawless performer.
I’ll be out there trying to bring you the best interviews.
Constitution Hill has looked magnificent in seven career victories, numbering not only a Fighting Fifth romp at Newcastle, but also easy successes in a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and this year’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Henderson describes him as ‘strangely special’.
In his time, the Michael Buckley-owned dreamboat has disposed of top performers like State Man, Jonbon, Mighty Potter, Vauban and Epatante as if they were all useless.
But for many Constitution Hill has to keep winning to be considered in the same breath as the likes of Istabraq, See You Then, Monksfield, Persian War, Comedy Of Errors and Night Nurse.
The road to greatness continues when Constitution Hill heads up the Sandown hill at about 1.20pm, just as he did on his winning rules debut at this course just over two years ago.
The odd thing is it’s not a bad field of six going to post, and rivals include Hendo’s Shishkin, warming up for a tilt at the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Shishkin refused to race at Ascot last time when he had cheekpieces on for the first time but those are off here and it’s worth remembering his last run over hurdles saw him win the Supreme.
Everyone seems convinced Shishkin has turned into a right old ‘chancer’, but I’m not sure he’s as naughty as some believe. We’ll see.
Also in the line-up is Love Envoi, second in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival, as well as You Wear It Well, the Grade 2 Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner.
Throw in two characters in Goshen and Not So Sleepy and you have a right race full of talent and mayhem. Don’t miss it.
Constitution Hill is currently 4-9 for the Champion Hurdle in March, while Jonbon is 11-4 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind El Fabiolo, the 11-10 market leader.
Both horses are back this weekend, with Jonbon a very short price to take the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase and El Fabiolo due to return in tomorrow’s Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork.
Jonbon takes on defending champion Edwardstone, but he disposed of him with ease on his seasonal return and will surely confirm the form.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. £/€10 min stake (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€30 Tote Credit when first bet settles. £/€10 redeemable against win/place racing bets, £/€10 redeemable against Exotics bets and £/€10 redeemable against World Pool bets. Racing and Exotics credit expires after 7 days. World Pool credit expires 18:10 on 24/06.23. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org.
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
The simple truth is — and I’ve said it before — Edwardstone is a good horse but not top class.
It will be interesting to see how progressive Boothill gets on for the in-form Harry Fry, but he was a little lucky to win at Ascot last time when Saint Segal fell in front of him at the last.
Of course Nico de Boinville is on top of Constitution Hill and Jonbon, and he’s keen to get as much cash in the bag as possible as I can reveal he’s not far off becoming a dad for the third time! Expensive!
The excellent de Boinville — not long ago the man known as the stable lad who looked after Sprinter Sacre — is set for one of the racing days of his life, as he also partners Willmount in Sandown’s opening novice hurdle, a Listed event over two miles.
Willmount is a right prospect, having looked a proper monster at Newbury when trotting up by 13 lengths.
It’s a day to watch class horses running up that Sandown hill. Just magical. Yeeehaaa!
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org