Constitution Hill cruises to victory in Aintree Hurdle

AINTREE, England – Unchallenged, the British gelding Constitution Hill was an easy winner of Thursday’s Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle at Aintree Racecourse north of Liverpool, extending his unbeaten record to seven races in his first start at 2 1/2 miles.

The $312,000 Aintree Hurdle was likely Constitution Hill’s final start over the smaller obstacles. Trainer Nicky Henderson said in the winner’s circle that Constitution Hill may have his debut over fences when the jump racing season resumes in the fall.

For now, Constitution Hill is the undisputed leading hurdler in Britain. A 6-year-old gelding, Constitution Hill won the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at 2 1/16 miles by nine lengths on March 14 at Cheltenham.

In the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill led throughout under regular rider Nico de Boinville, who rides first call for Henderson. De Boinville had Constitution Hill in front by about four lengths for the first two miles and kept a comfortable margin through the stretch.

“When you’re traveling like that, in a slightly slower gear over two and a half [miles] it makes it even easier for him,” Henderson said. “His jumping is just so deadly accurate.”

The trailing pack of five were unable to threaten. Constitution Hill won by three lengths. He paid $2.20 in American pools and was 2-15 with ontrack bookmakers.

Owned by Michael Buckley, Constitution Hill previously raced at distances of two miles and 2 1/16 miles. He is already listed as the favorite 7-4 for the Arkle Chase at two miles for novices’ at Cheltenham next March.

Henderson said Constitution Hill may be given a trial over fences before he is rested through the summer.

“I would say there is every chance we might school him over a fence before we put him to bed,” he said. “Just to get a clue. Then, we’ll know what we’re talking about.”

Henderson and de Boinville swept the two richest races on the seven-race program at Aintree on Thursday, which featured four Grade 1 races. In the race prior to the Aintree Hurdle, de Boinville rode Shishkin to a hard-fought win by 1 1/2 lengths in the $312,000 Aintree Bowl Chase at 3 1/8 miles.

Shishkin ($4.80) stalked the pace for the first 2 1/2 miles, dropped back slightly with two fences remaining, and rallied to the front after the final fence to catch 5-2 Ahoy Senor, who set the pace.

Shishkin, a 9-year-old gelding, has won 13 of 17 starts, including six Grade 1 races over hurdles and fences.

The race changed significantly Wednesday evening when the British Horseracing Authority, the national regulatory agency, ordered leading contender Bravermansgame scratched because of alleged corporate financial improprieties involving one of his owners.

The Irish-based runners Banbridge and Zenta won the first two Grade 1 races on Thursday.

Banbridge, a 7-year-old gelding trained by Joseph O’Brien, won his first race at the highest level in the $149,700 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at 2 1/2 miles. Ridden by J.J. Slevin, Banbridge ($4.80) finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 5-2 Saint Roi.

The filly Zenta had a perfect trip to win the $137,200 4-Year-Old Juvenile Hurdle at two miles in a field of 11 that included eight males. Zenta ($3.80) finished a nose in front of 5-1 Bo Zenith for her third win in four starts for top Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins.

Marsh Chase tops Friday card

Thursday was the first day of the three-day Grand National festival, which concludes Saturday with the famous chase at 4 5/16 miles.

Friday’s seven-race program has four graded races, led by the $312,500 Marsh Chase at 2 1/2 miles. First post time is 8:45 a.m. Eastern, or 5:45 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Pic d’Orhy and Fakir d’Oudaries, second and third behind Shishkin in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase at Ascot Racecourse in February, were the joint 9-4 favorites with bookmakers in a field of seven. Fakir d’Oudaries won the 2022 Marsh Chase.