Still no stopping Constitution Hill as Seven Barrows superstar eases to Aintree victory
Nicky Henderson hailed Constitution Hill’s incredible versatility after the six-year-old made it seven wins from as many starts under rules in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle on the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, writes The Jockey Club's Graham Clark.
Arriving on the back of an impressive display in last month’s Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the Blue Bresil gelding took a step up to two-and-a-half miles in his stride in the Grade One prize to complete a double for the Seven Barrows handler.
Sent straight into the lead by Nico de Boinville the odds-on favourite never saw another rival before coasting home by three lengths from Sharjah to make it six successive wins at the top level and take his career earnings beyond the £650,000 mark.
Henderson said: “He’s had a nice day out and the beauty of him is that you can do anything you like.
"Is he going to stay two and a half miles? He’ll stay as many miles as you like and he jumps so beautifully.
"His jumping is so deadly accurate and it couldn't have been more straightforward.
"Over two-and-a-half miles out there on his own he’s just doodling along in his own time.
“His versatility is incredible. You can do anything with him.
"It was perfectly obvious this morning that he was going to have to make it, so you just don’t mess about.
"You keep it simple, but you can go at the front or go at the back.”
Looking ahead to next season Henderson admitted that a decision as to whether Constitution Hill remains over hurdles or switches to fences will be made over the summer.
“We might well school him over a fence before we put him to bed, just to get a clue, and then we’ll know what we are talking about,” he said.
“We’ve got a long summer to enjoy looking back on this and talk about what will happen next."
Meanwhile, dreams of an outing in next season’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup moved a step nearer for Shishkin, who appeared to appreciate the step up in trip beyond three miles for the first time in the Grade One Alder Hey Aintree Bowl.
Looking booked for a place at best between the final two fences in the three miles one furlong contest the 7-4 favourite demonstrated that stamina is his forte when reeling in long- time leader Ahoy Senor over the last before obliging by a length and a half.
Henderson said: “He causes a few headaches in between times but he is a very good horse.
"We had to show up and he had to show up today and he has proved himself.
“He does finish very well and that’s his thing.
"He is tough and he stayed.
"He is still quite lazy throughout his races to be honest with you.
"He has proved he stays and three miles is where he is going to stay there is no question about that."
Victory in the Randox Grand National on Saturday might have escaped Henderson once again with his runner Mister Coffey finishing eighth, however he was among the winners on the day thanks to Jonbon in the Grade One EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase.
The odds-on favourite won by a staggering 43 lengths.
“I think he was a better horse here than he was at Cheltenham, and that’s in part because of the ground," Henderson said
Few people sported a smile as wide as the one on the face of Lambourn trainer Warren Greatrex on Friday after 20-1 shot Bill Baxter came of age over the famous Grand National fences in the Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase.
The popular Grade One-winning trainer found himself back on the big stage following a tough few seasons after the tenacious grey defeated Fantastic Lady by a length-and-three-quarters to register a fourth victory over fences this season.
Greatrex said: “I can’t believe it.
"This horse was the horse that was probably coming out to put our name on the map.
“This was the race that was going to suit him as long as the rain came.
"He is a very clever horse and I knew he would adapt to the fences.
"I knew turning in as long as he jumped the last two he would win.
"I was just screaming my head off, I can’t believe it.
"I know I can do it and I’ve proved I can do it."
