Matt Chapman horse racing tips: Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle the stars of a memorable jumps season

THE Constitution of jumps racing has been threatened by extremists since a tense Grand National – but the sport’s star performer is a phenomenon that few could question.

Whether Constitution Hill’s much-awaited secret schooling session over fences happens in the near future is in doubt due to quickening ground.

News Group Newspapers Ltd.Our man Chappers reflects on the 2022-23 jumps season[/caption]

But whatever awaits the Michael Buckley-owned and Nicky Henderson-trained star, there is no doubt the Champion Hurdle hero shines a beacon of light over an industry darkened by many who have little understanding of what actually goes on.

Nico de Boinville, a jockey I have the utmost respect for, is in no doubt Constitution Hill is unique, and that’s why it’s fantastic this season’s giant will be on parade at Sandown this afternoon as the season draws to a close live on ITV.

‘Phenom’ was how de Boinville described Constitution Hill when I asked him to use one word which encapsulated the runaway Festival and Aintree hero.

Now, Nicolai William Chastel de Boinville will have chosen ‘phenom’ carefully, even if many will be surprised at his shortening of the word phenomenon for a man with such a strong grasp of the English language!

What came next from de Boinville shocked me. On numerous occasions I have tried to get him to compare Constitution Hill with the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin. He has politely declined.

Now, though, he admitted: “Constitution Hill is the most straightforward and professional racehorse I have been fortunate enough to ride.

“He’s incredibly laid back, with an amazing ability to go through the gears very, very fast. He’s got an incredible turn of foot and also a high cruising speed. His jumping is equally slick and fluent.

“I count myself very, very lucky to be able to ride him and I’m not sure there will be many around like him in years to come. For now I’ll just enjoy him, and make the most of being around such a wonderful racehorse.”

Constitution Hill was part of that magical hour at the Cheltenham Festival which also featured Honeysuckle’s hugely emotional success in the Mares’ Hurdle.

I will forever believe Henry de Bromhead’s class act should have tried to defend her crown in the main event against Constitution Hill, but that takes nothing away from the joy she brought the trainer after the tragic loss of his son, Jack.

Ultimately there is more to life – life itself, indeed – than horses running around a field, and the love that poured out for the de Bromhead family after Honeysuckle’s victory will always be one of Cheltenham’s most special moments.

Jumps racing is magical. But it will face a tough journey in years to come with the powers that be in British racing lethargic in their support for the game they control.

The recent failure to stand up for the whip was just typical of those in authority, and while that is far from the biggest problem facing racing it was a glimpse of things to come.

There is only so much chipping away at the sport one can do. Ultimately, whatever your line of work, if those in charge don’t have faith in what they produce then how can anyone else?

At Sandown, Brian Hughes will be crowned champion jockey for a third time, while Luca Morgan has the deserved top spot as leading conditional.

Paul Nicholls is champion trainer for a 14th occasion, and JP McManus is leading owner once again making that 15 times he has led the list.

McManus has a few quid, that’s for sure, but he’s one of the most generous men you will ever meet and one day many in the sport will wonder how they can survive once his patronage is gone. Thank you JP for loving this game like many of us do.

The big betting race on the final day of the jumps remains the Bet365 Gold Cup, for all that it is a shadow of the contest many still refer to as the Whitbread.

I’m hoping for a fairytale in victory for Frodon, who at the age of 11 still has an engine big enough to get him into third in a decent handicap at Kempton last time.

The former King George hero will have many of these off the bridle at halfway if getting into a decent rhythm on the front end, and the roof would be raised Desert Orchid-style should he manage to keep going.

Of course, while the jumps draws to a close the Flat takes off next weekend with the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.

That’s the beauty of this game. Under both codes there’s always a classic around the corner.

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