Unibet Hurdle (Registered As The International Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 20.47s

Constitution Hill³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 175| C

1/12

Exceptional unbeaten hurdler who had his setbacks last year (missed Festival) but confirmed he's still the one to beat in the division when becoming first 3-time winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. This looks a penalty kick before he bids to regain his Champion Hurdle crown.

Form: 1111/1-1

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Fils D'oudairies¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| D

18/1

Added three hurdles victories to his tally in 2023, latterly a Grade 3 at Tipperary (16.2f) in October of that year. Set a stiff task returning from 12 months off at Leopardstown over Christmas and ran no sort of race back over fences at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago. Up against it.

Form: 0134-4P

Brentford Hope^p,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: Harry Derham| OR: 146| D

10/1

Built up a healthy strike rate over hurdles for this yard and returned from 6 months off with a good second in Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f) in November. Well beaten off big weight in Windsor handicap 8 days ago but better showing anticipated with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 2112-20

Joyeux Machin⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 132

80/1

Useful for Paul Nolan in Ireland but struggled in varied events in 2024. Easy to back and never figured on stable debut in a C&D handicap 6 weeks ago and loads to find on these terms back in graded company.

Form: 2PFP-70

Spirits Bay⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| D

28/1

Did well last season, winning novice and handicap hurdle over 17f at Exeter. Encouragement to glean from each of his 2 starts this winter, seemingly unsuited by tactics adopted when third of 8 in handicap at Haydock (15.6f) last week. However, very hard to envisage him playing a lead role here.

Form: F115-53

Forecasts

Constitution Hill (1/12), Brentford Hope (10/1), Fils D'oudairies (18/1), Spirits Bay (28/1), Joyeux Machin (80/1)

The outstanding CONSTITUTION HILL dispelled an absence and cemented the fact he's still very much the one to beat in this division when becoming the first 3-time winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. It's hard to envisage Nicky Henderson's 8-y-o having any trouble landing this before he bids to regain his Champion Hurdle crown in March. Brentford Hope could well be the one for the forecast spot.