Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 51.95s

Constitution Hill³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 173| D

1/7

Exceptional novice hurdler, winning Grade 1 Tolworth and Supreme by a combined 34 lengths. Underlined he could be one of the best hurdlers seen for a long time when easily accounting for Epatante in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month. Can't be opposed.

Form: 2/111-1

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Highway One O Two⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 143| CD

50/1

Suited by the drop back to 2m and better when ever when taking a 19-runner Ascot in October. A fair bit more will be required to even reach a place here, though.

Form: 512P-21

Metier^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 144| BF| D

40/1

Won Grade 1 Tolworth as a novice and ran to similar level when landing a valuable Lingfield handicap in January. Arrives on back of November Handicap victory on the Flat but he has a fair bit to find on form here. The softer the ground the better for him.

Form: 17/P417-

Sceau Royal⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A King| OR: 156| BF| CD

20/1

Very smart hurdler/chaser who landed the odds in a C&D listed hurdle on his reappearanmce in November. Just as good when 2½ lengths second to Knappers Hill (received 6 lb) in Grade 2 Elite at Wincanton since.

Form: 6232-12

Epatante³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| CD

7/1

Dual winner of this race but absolutely no match for Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. Should give another account but hard to see how she can turn the tables on her stable-companion.

Form: 11213-2

Forecasts

Constitution Hill (1/7), Epatante (7/1), Sceau Royal (20/1), Metier (40/1), Highway One O Two (50/1)

CONSTITUTION HILL denied Epatante a third win in the Fighting Ffith last month and it's highly likely he'll prevent his stablemate achieving a similar feat in this contest as he was so impressive at Newcastle and looks a once-in-a-generation hurdler.