Constitution Hill could face Champion Hurdle challenge from Japan

Japan’s All The World was a shock name among 16 put forward for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, with 2023 hero Constitution Hill heading the list of contenders, as he tries to regain his crown.

Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten hurdling star is used to facing the might of Ireland and will have up to a maximum of nine Emerald Isle raiders to contend with on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

However, he could also now do battle against one of the best from the Far East, with Kazuya Nakatake’s eight-year-old having finished third in the Tokyo High-Jump, one of the country’s leading jump races, in October.

Henderson has given leading Arkle fancy Sir Gino the option of reverting to hurdles, as he did when deputising for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

However, the bulk of Constitution Hill’s main opposition is set to come from Ireland, with defending champion State Man, Anzadam, Kitzbuhel and Winter Fog among Willie Mullins’ six possible runners.

Dual Festival winner Lossiemouth – the horse Constitution Hill beat on his return in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – and last year’s Triumph runner-up Kargese are others in the mix from Closutton, although both also featured among the 24 entries for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead is another with a ticket for both Grade One events on day one of March’s showpiece and she has announced herself as a real star this term with two thrilling victories over the aforementioned State Man.

Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace joins her high-ranking Irish counterparts with an entry in the Champion and Mares’ Hurdle races, as she seeks to follow up last year’s Festival success, while Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road is another notable entrant in the big one, having finished a respectable third behind Constitution Hill at Kempton.

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle has attracted 36 entries, led by defending champion Teahupoo, with over half the potential runners coming from Ireland and Gold Tweet a possible for French handler Gabriel Leenders.

Back-to-back Long Walk Hurdle winner Crambo could bid to break Fergal O’Brien’s Festival duck in the contest, with Ollie Murphy’s beaten Ascot favourite Strong Leader and Henderson’s recent Relkeel victor Lucky Place among those high up in the betting.

Dan Skelton’s two-time Coral Cup champion Langer Dan and the Irish duo of Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee and Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake are other established players in the mix.