Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 59.38s

Constitution Hill⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 173| CD

4/11

Exceptional winner of the Supreme at last year's Festival and underlined he could be one of the best hurdlers seen for a long time when easily accounting for Epatante in Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Kept fresh for this since. Can't be opposed.

Form: 2/111-11

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I Like To Move It²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 157| BF| CD

25/1

Smart novice hurdler last term and took it up another notch when impressively winning the Greatwood on his C&D reappearance. Disappointing when stepped up to 2½m for the Relkeel here on New Year's Day but quickly back on the up returned to 2m when dotting up in the Kingwell at Wincanton.

Form: 520-161

Jason The Militant^t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 150| BF| D

250/1

Smart hurdler for Henry De Bromhead and also bagged a listed race on the Flat in October 2021. Ran respectably (bang there for a long way) in course handicap hurdle on his stable debut in January. Won't be up to the task here, though.

Form: /73-40

Not So Sleepy⁷⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 156| D

150/1

Fifth in the last 2 runnings of this. Good third in Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket in October. Also made a sound return to hurdling when third to Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth but beaten before stamina should have been an issue over 3m at Kempton over Christmas. Freshened up since.

Form: 7/155-35

State Man³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| C| D

7/2

Unbeaten for this yard when completing. Impressive in County at 2022 Festival and 4-4 in Grade 1s since, the latest when accounting for Honeysuckle and Vauban in Irish Champion last month. Looks capable of better still but whether he can live with Constitution Hill is another matter.

Form: 1-1111

Vauban^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C| D

16/1

Triple Grade 1 winner as a juvnenile, including the Triumph here. Has run well when placed behind stablemate State Man in Matheson and Irish Champion (both Leopardstown) this winter. Has a bigger peformance in him but it's still unlikely he'll be good enough.

Form: 11-123

Zanahiyr^p,t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| D

66/1

Very smart hurdler at his best. Bettered his first 2 efforts this season when 8 lengths last of 5 to State Man in the Irish Champion at Leopardstown 37 days ago but that underlines he has his work cut out at the highest level.

Form: 2DF-7P5

Forecasts

Constitution Hill (4/11), State Man (7/2), Vauban (16/1), I Like To Move It (25/1), Zanahiyr (66/1), Not So Sleepy (150/1), Jason The Militant (250/1)

CONSTITUTION HILL looked something special when routing Jonbon in the Supreme on this day last year and has fully confirmed that impression with easy wins in the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle this winter. State Man is a high-class and progressive hurdler in his own right and looks a clear second best but it's still hard to see him seriously troubling Michael Buckley's outstanding 6-y-o. I Like To Move It looks best of the rest.