‘My heart was in my mouth’ – Relief for De Boinville after Constitution Hill blunder

Nico de Boinville may be known for his ice-cool temperament – but even the steeliest man at Cheltenham may have raised a sweat after surviving a final-flight blunder with the mighty Constitution Hill in the Unibet Hurdle.

There was a collective gasp as the Frankel of the jumping world clambered his way over the last, evoking memories of his triumph in the 2023 Champion Hurdle when the last obstacle had threatened to be his nemesis.

However, the worry barely lasted a second – maybe even less – as the unbeaten champion remained unflustered, found a leg and quickly slipped into gear to strut his way to the winning post, maintaining that impeccable record.

His pilot was inclined to blame himself, but then how could you ever hint at criticising your horse of a lifetime and one who it seems was finding it all too simple during his Prestbury Park exhibition.

“My heart was in my mouth at the last, but he was just doing it so easily,” said De Boinville.

“He was either on a long one or was just going to fiddle away (jumping the last) but has kind of done something in the middle. It wasn’t ideal to make the mistake but in a better-run race he will be a lot happier, it’s over and done now.

“It was just boredom and he wasn’t paying attention. He’s done well to find a leg I’d say, he’s got me out of trouble. He could have come up if he wanted to, but I just didn’t have him alive enough, he was half-asleep.

“It was just like a nice piece of work for him and he really did pick up after the last without asking him too much. It’s taken zero out of him, it was very easy for him, he’s on a different level.

“To have him back at Cheltenham is great and it’s great everyone came out to see him today. I’m delighted with him and angry with myself more than anything.”

Thankfully Constitution Hill’s trainer did not witness the blunder that threatened to cruelly deny his stable star’s lap of honour against a field of significantly inferior opposition.

But when he does watch the replay he may join those that were in attendance in the Cotswolds in letting out a sigh of relief.

“He was very long in the Champion Hurdle, but the good thing is I haven’t seen it, you could tell me anything happened,” said Henderson.

“It’s a pity because he is such a good jumper and he doesn’t get it wrong often. It might prove a sensible thing to do every now and then and it gets it out of the way before next time.”

In contrast his owner was perfectly aware of what happened, as he now looks forward to the bigger assignment that awaits in March and the challenge of regaining his Champion Hurdle crown.

“I loved every second!” said Michael Buckley with tongue firmly in cheek. “There is nothing not to love about the trainer and the horse, but not that jump.

“That isn’t the sort of race that will see him at his best and the better the horses (he is up against) the better he is.

“It was fun though and it was good for the horse – it’s better than doing some work at home.”

Rather sympathetic to the position De Boinville found himself in was Barry Geraghty, the man who bought Constitution Hill as a foal and nurtured his early days before passing on the baton to his former guv’nor to polish the most precious of racing’s gems.

Geraghty said: “It would have happened in a split second and you don’t have much time to think about something like that, but I would say he got to the other side and that was the main thing and he showed no ill effect.

“It was possibly not as smooth as we would have liked it to be, but that’s racing and it’s unpredictable. Nico has always done brilliant on him, he’s just a joy to watch.”

De Boinville’s predecessor in the Seven Barrows hot seat rode Punjabi, Buveur D’Air and Epatante to Champion Hurdle glory during some fabulous years as number one at Henderson’s famous Lambourn academy.

There is no doubt in his mind who can lay claim to being top the pile, however.

“He’s a very special horse,” added Geraghty. “I’ve ridden some great Champion Hurdlers and I would hate to talk anything else down, but he is something special.”