Constitution Hill's Impending Decline
A sorry tale unfolded on Saturday as the highly touted Constitution Hill fell for the third time in his past four starts, further cementing his status as a fallen star. The New Lion, an unbeaten contender, also hit the ground in the closing stages, leaving Golden Ace to snatch victory from long odds, much like she did at Cheltenham when Constitution Hill suffered his first major mishap.
Golden Ace's win may have been a surprise, but her odds were hardly astronomical, with 16-1 on offer for a successful title defense that reflects her current standing in the pecking order. While she will never match Constitution Hill's impressive ratings, it seems the latter's confidence has taken a hit. Nicky Henderson, his trainer, appeared visibly distraught, hinting at the possibility of an 'impostor' having supplanted his star stable horse.
Constitution Hill, the favorite for what was supposed to be his crowning achievement, proved woefully uncertain over hurdles, faltering at both flights. His inexplicable decline has left Henderson heartbroken and questioning the very basics of his jumping ability.
As the reality sets in, even Henderson's first concern is Constitution Hill's well-being, followed by an acknowledgement that the horse's repeated failures have reached a tipping point. While it's not time to write off this once-in-a-generation talent entirely, the trend is clear: the golden boy has lost his magic.
On the flip side, The New Lion emerged unscathed from his fall and appears poised for greatness, with Dan Skelton, his trainer, hailing the horse as a contender for championship glory. An hour later, Panic Attack followed suit, completing an impressive double under Skelton's guidance.
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins remains in contention to reclaim the title, while Henderson and Paul Nicholls trail behind at 25-1 odds. As the landscape shifts, only time will tell if Constitution Hill can rediscover his form or if Golden Ace is merely an opportunistic winner amidst a tumultuous season.
A sorry tale unfolded on Saturday as the highly touted Constitution Hill fell for the third time in his past four starts, further cementing his status as a fallen star. The New Lion, an unbeaten contender, also hit the ground in the closing stages, leaving Golden Ace to snatch victory from long odds, much like she did at Cheltenham when Constitution Hill suffered his first major mishap.
Golden Ace's win may have been a surprise, but her odds were hardly astronomical, with 16-1 on offer for a successful title defense that reflects her current standing in the pecking order. While she will never match Constitution Hill's impressive ratings, it seems the latter's confidence has taken a hit. Nicky Henderson, his trainer, appeared visibly distraught, hinting at the possibility of an 'impostor' having supplanted his star stable horse.
Constitution Hill, the favorite for what was supposed to be his crowning achievement, proved woefully uncertain over hurdles, faltering at both flights. His inexplicable decline has left Henderson heartbroken and questioning the very basics of his jumping ability.
As the reality sets in, even Henderson's first concern is Constitution Hill's well-being, followed by an acknowledgement that the horse's repeated failures have reached a tipping point. While it's not time to write off this once-in-a-generation talent entirely, the trend is clear: the golden boy has lost his magic.
On the flip side, The New Lion emerged unscathed from his fall and appears poised for greatness, with Dan Skelton, his trainer, hailing the horse as a contender for championship glory. An hour later, Panic Attack followed suit, completing an impressive double under Skelton's guidance.
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins remains in contention to reclaim the title, while Henderson and Paul Nicholls trail behind at 25-1 odds. As the landscape shifts, only time will tell if Constitution Hill can rediscover his form or if Golden Ace is merely an opportunistic winner amidst a tumultuous season.