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THE 2023 CHAMPION HURDLE WINNER IS SET TO FACE A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN OPPONENTS IN THE FEATURE RACE OF DAY ONE OF THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 13:19, 05 Mar 2025Updated 14:48, 05 Mar 2025
Constitution Hill will face a maximum of seven rivals when he bids to regain his crown in the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten superstar was sidelined and unable
to defend his title 12 months ago, but will return to the Cotswolds next week as a hot favourite, having returned from a year off the track seemingly as good as ever. Willie Mullins is set
to saddle last year’s Champion Hurdle winner State Man, top-class mare Lossiemouth and Winter Fog. State Man is fresh from winning his third Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, a race in
which Lossiemouth suffered a crashing fall. READ MORE: Cheltenham hotel prices rise by eye-watering 200 per cent for Festival weekREAD MORE: Cheltenham 2025 tips: The four best handicapped
British chasers ahead of showpiece The mare had previously finished second to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and is poised to renew rivalry. Further spice is added by
the presence of Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, who has beaten State Man in her last two races and had him trailing 31 lengths in her wake when registering a scintillating victory at
Leopardstown over Christmas. Article continues below Elliott has also confirmed King Of Kingsfield, who set the early pace at Leopardstown before dropping back to finish fifth. The small but
select field is completed by Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace and the James Owen-trained Burdett Road, who finished first and second respectively in last month’s Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
Golden Ace inflicted a first and so far only defeat on Brighterdaysahead when landing the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival and could take her on again, although connections
have stated they are leaning towards running in the Mares’ Hurdle on the same afternoon. Burdett Road is a dual winner at Cheltenham and proved he is up to competing at the highest level
when third behind Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth at Kempton on Boxing Day. He is another who has been mentioned in terms of an alternative option, in his case the County Hurdle on Gold
Cup day. Constitution Hill is 4-6 favourite with William Hill, who have Brighterdaysahead on 9-4, Lossiemouth on 11-2 and State Man, a 10-1 chance. Article continues below 4:00PM UNIBET
CHAMPION HURDLE (GRADE 1) 2M 87Y Brighterdaysahead (FR) 6 11 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack KennedyBurdett Road 5 11 10 The Gredley Family James OwenConstitution Hill 8
11 10 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky HendersonGolden Ace 7 11 3 Mr I. F. Gosden Jeremy ScottKing of Kingsfield (IRE) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IrelandLossiemouth (FR) 6 11 3
Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IrelandState Man (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins IrelandWinter Fog (IRE) 11 11 10 The Triple Lock Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland 8 CONFIRMATIONS