Smith Eccles backing Constitution Hill to regain his crown

Steve Smith Eccles sees no stopping Constitution Hill regaining his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Derbyshire-born former jockey rode eight winners at the Festival during his decorated career – but is perhaps best known for his association with Nicky Henderson’s original king of the Champion Hurdle, See You Then.

‘The Ecc’ was in the saddle for all three of See You Then’s Champion Hurdle triumphs between 1985 and 1987 and is backing the master of Seven Barrows to pick up his 10th victory in the opening-day feature on March 11.

Smith Eccles famously enjoyed a tempestuous relationship with his former guv’nor, starring on See You Then after initially being brought in as a late stand-in to replace the injured John Francome.

Henderson recalled with a wry smile: “John rode a horse called The Reject in the Arkle, he fell at the last and got his foot caught in the iron.

“The Champion Hurdle was the next race and the only person that was in the (weighing) room was the guy I’d sacked about six times already! Steve and I had more marriages and divorces than you could ever imagine, but he was the only person in there without a ride, so there wasn’t much choice.”

The mutual admiration regarding their respective talents remains strong to this day, though.

“If Nicky can get him to the track, Constitution Hill is the one they all have to beat,” said Smith Eccles.

“I don’t see the Irish horses troubling him really. He’s obviously a very good horse and once again that type of horse is suited by Nicky Henderson more than any other trainer in the country.

“It’s just this thing Nicky has and it’s hard to put your finger on what exactly it is, but Nicky has it.”

Many already regard Constitution Hill as the best of Henderson’s collection of Champion Hurdle heroes, but Smith Eccles says it is somewhat unfair to compare the unbeaten son of Blue Bresil to his predecessors on the Seven Barrows roll of honour, simply preferring to admire the qualities that make them all champion performers on the racetrack.

Smith Eccles added: “I’ve never really looked at him and compared him to See You Then and it’s always difficult to compare good horses, as they all have their own individual characteristics and that touch of class.

“But those types of horses are outstanding and Nicky Henderson is capable of getting everything out of them to win those races on the day.”

Another former Seven Barrows jockey firmly in the Constitution Hill corner is Mick Fitzgerald, but the jockey turned TV pundit is warning nothing should be taken for granted following the disastrous Festival 12 months ago, where the majority of Henderson’s stars were sat on the sidelines as the action took place at Prestbury Park.

“Nicky has been in this game a long time, but I don’t think even he would have expected or predicted what happened at the last Cheltenham Festival and he won’t be counting his chickens,” said Fitzgerald.

“He’ll just be hoping he gets them there in the form they are in now because I’m sure that can’t have been easy for him.”

After a year on the sidelines and an early scare following a racecourse gallop at Newbury that saw Constitution Hill come back lame and miss his intended return in the Fighting Fifth, the 2023 Champion Hurdler has served a real reminder of his dominance with victories at Kempton on Boxing Day and Cheltenham on Trials day.

And Fitzgerald believes his old boss’ patience has to be praised, as he has returned yet another of his stable stars to the top table following an absence.

“What he’s brilliant at is basically mapping out a horse’s season to get them there on the big day,” explained Fitzgerald.

“I think Nicky has shown great patience with this horse and hopefully Nicky and Michael Buckley (owner) will be rewarded after the Cheltenham Festival.

“He was probably heavier than he’s ever been coming back into training and it just took that little bit longer for him to get in shape. But it’s the one thing that has happened throughout Nicky’s career – there is no panic.

“There was no rush for the sake of running him and he didn’t rush him for the Fighting Fifth and there was also a worry he might not make the Christmas Hurdle. He did, but only because the trainer was happy with him.

“He’s just a brilliant trainer and he knows what it takes to get a horse ready for the big day. If he’s got a horse good enough for the Champion Hurdle, it’s almost like the whole season is planned out with that being the ultimate goal.

“What he’s brilliant at is basically mapping out a horse’s season to get them there on the big day. It’s not just luck or chance that he’s got such a great record at the Cheltenham Festival in any division, he’s just a very good trainer of a good horse.”