Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Tips – Constitution Hill A Banker?

We have Cheltenham Champion Hurdle tips for you from our horse racing experts ahead of the third race on day one of The Festival.

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Tips

Constitution Hill is regarded as one of the bankers of the Cheltenham Festival and the BoyleSports Preview Night panellists all agreed that Nicky Henderson’s star will be difficult to beat.

Check out all the tips and analysis from horse racing experts David Casey, Denis O’Regan, Peter Fahey and Robbie Power from the BoyleSports Preview night in the video below.

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Naps

David Casey – Constitution Hill @ 2/7 with BoyleSports

Denis O’Regan – Constitution Hill @ 2/7 with BoyleSports

Peter Fahey – Constitution Hill @ 2/7 with BoyleSports

Robbie Power – Constitution Hill @ 2/7 with BoyleSports

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Preview

David Casey

State Man is a proper horse, but on a scale one of 1-10, I rate his chances of beating Constitution Hill at two.

“I struggle to find a flaw in Constitution Hill. He can do it from the front, he can do it from behind, he’s pacey, he has stamina, and he jumps brilliantly.

It’s hard to find an angle to attack him. I’m pretty sure State Man is the best of Willie Mullins’. Vauban is very good, but not good enough to beat State Man. Constitution Hill has to turn up on the day and some horses don’t, but I’d find it very difficult to go and beat him.”

Keep up to date with all our Cheltenham Festival coverage as we keep you updated with all the latest betting odds, tips and news in the lead up to the biggest festival of them all.

Peter Fahey

I think Constitution Hill is a certainty. If Echoes In Rain ran she could be third, because she has loads of speed.

Denis O’Regan

The type of horse required to win a Champion Hurdle is one of huge stamina and class and State Man has all the credentials.

“I rode in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and he was absolutely class. His County Hurdle win last year was brilliant too. But Constitution Hill looks like Istabraq. 

“Echoes In Rain looked very good at Naas and Epatante would also have an each-way squeak if she ran and Nicky Henderson didn’t rule that out. But each-way value is what you’d be looking at.”

Robbie Power

We could be looking at one of the greats in Constitution Hill, but he has to go and do it.

“His two wins this season have been very impressive, so I’d be amazed if he doesn’t. 

“I actually think Vauban has a good chance of being second. Not ability-wise, but Paul Townend and Willie Mullins will not ride to finish second in a Champion Hurdle. They’ll ride to win it and that means getting down and dirty with Constitution Hill.

That could take the edge off State Man and allow a horse like Vauban, ridden more conservatively, to come through and finish second. I’d do a forecast with Constitution Hill to beat Vauban.”

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Preview

Constitution Hill – Champion Hurdle Favourite @ 2/7

In his most recent outing the 6-year-old Nicky Henderson trained gelding won his fifth race on-the-spin on the 26th of December 2022. He cruised home that by an impressive seventeen lengths ahead of the rest of the field.

This horse’s winning run started on the 4th of December 2021 in Sandown when he won by fourteen lengths. His winning streak also includes a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) victory during last year’s Cheltenham Festival. His last six races he has won by an impressive cumulative margin of 77 lengths.

Constitution Hill is currently a heavy 2/7 favourite to continue that run of wins at the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

State Man – Champion Hurdle Second Favourite @ 11/4

Last time out the 6-year-old W-P Mullins trained gelding won his sixth race on-the-spin on the 5th of February 2023 in a 2-mile-trip at Leopardstown beating the horse aiming to win the Champion Hurdle for the third time in-a-row Honeysuckle by 4.75 lengths.

That winning run includes a victory at the 2022 Festival in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) and State Man is currently priced at 11/4 to win at Cheltenham for the second year in-a-row.

Vauban – 11/4

The most recent performance from the 5-year-old W-P Mullins trained gelding was when he came third on the 5th of February over a 2-mile-trip at Leopardstown. That day he was beaten 5.25 lengths by State Man and trailed 4.75 lengths behind Honeysuckle. Prior to that race Vauban was second to State Man on the 29th of December 2022 at Leopardstown when he was beaten 4.25 lengths.

The chestnut gelding will be looking to get a festival win at Cheltenham for the second year in-a-row after his success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) during the 2022 festival. Vauban is currently an 11/4 chance to win the 2023 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

Honeysuckle – 10/1

The defending champion Honeysuckle has won the Champion Hurdle on the last two renditions in 2021 and 2022. The nine-year-old Henry De Bromhead trained mare last time out came second on the 5th of February 2023 in a 2-mile-trip at Leopardstown being beaten 4.75 lengths by State Man but coming 0.5 lengths in front of Vaupan.

On his second-last outing he came 3rd of December 2022 in Fairyhouse over the 2-mile 3 ½ furlong trip. However, before this the horse had won a sensational seventeen races in-a-row. Will the horses advancing years catch-up with him, or can Honeysuckle roll back the years with a third Champion Hurdle victory in-a-row?

If he can he will become the first horse to win three on-the-spin in the event since Istabraq 1998-2000 and Honeysuckle is priced at 10/1 to do so.

I Like To Move It– 14/1

Last time out the 6-year-old Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding won in Wincanton on the 18th of February 2023 over the 1 mile 1 furlong trip a seventh career success from thirteen races.

Cheltenham has been a mixed bag for the horse most recently coming sixth out of a nine-horse-field on the 1st of January 2023, before that it had won over the 2-mile ½ furlong trip on the 13th of November 2022. Can the horse make it two wins on-the spin and returning to form in Cheltenham?

I Like To Move It is currently a 14/1 chance to do so after being backed in from 16/1.

Click Below For The Latest Champion Hurdle Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide.