CONSTITUTION HILL can confirm his star billing with victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (GBB Race) (3.30pm) on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Nicky Henderson's six-year-old is already being compared to some of the hurdling greats and he can take another step towards being among the very best with victory in the Grade One feature on day one at Prestbury Park.
In his five starts over hurdles he remains unbeaten and four of those have been at the top level. Having won the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown by 12 lengths, he went to last year's Cheltenham Festival among the favourites for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and was even more impressive in beating stable-mate Jonbon by a massive 22 lengths. In his two runs this season, he has looked unbeatable, scoring by a combined 19 lengths ahead of another stable-mate and former Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton over Christmas.
Constitution Hill will face a stiffer challenge as he bids to give Henderson a record-extending ninth success in the championship contest chiefly from Irish raider and another who won at last year's Festival, the Willie Mullins-trained State Man. But although he has looked impressive himself in winning four Grade Ones in Ireland over the past 12 months, Constitution Hill looks a cut above even him. He hurdles superbly and always seems to travel smoothly.
He may not be a betting proposition at long odds-on, but it won't pay to back against him. Constitution Hill can continue his peerless sequence with a super sixth success in a row.
READ MORE: Full 73 current entries for the 2023 Randox Grand National at Aintree
The aforementioned stable-mate JONBON can make it a good first day for Henderson and the Brits with victory in the Grade One Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (GBB Race) (2.10pm).
The seven-year-old son of Epsom Derby runner-up Walk In The Park has seemingly transitioned to the bigger obstacles and has a perfect three from three record, having only lost once – to Constitution Hill – in his previous runs over hurdles.
Although he wasn't as impressive on his last run, a workmanlike victory in the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick last month, he can continue his progress with victory, holding off the Mullins-trained Irish raiders El Fabiolo and Dysart Dynamo.
Although there are a few possible British winners on the first day, the Irish may get the meeting off to the perfect with Mullins' IL ETAIT TEMPS winning the opener, the Grade One Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.30pm).
With stable-mate and likely favourite Facile Vega on a retrieval mission and the Joseph O'Brien-trained former high-class Flat performer High Definition having jumping issues, the improving Il Etait Temps may be the answer.
The five-year-old won the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last month in good style and the progressive grey may be able to triumph again at Prestbury Park.
INTO OVERDRIVE can land the Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.50pm) ahead of a number of Randox Grand National hopefuls.
There are a number of the field using this as a stepping stone to the big one at Aintree Racecourse on April 15, including last year's Ultima hero Corach Rambler from the Lucinda Russell. He is among the market leaders for Aintree and this race and he should run a big race at Cheltenham. But the National is his chief aim this time whereas Mark Walford's Into Overdrive will be fully focused on another victory at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old looks a progressive young chaser and won three times last season and twice in three runs so far this. He was an impressive winner of the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby over Christmas and can score again. Other Grand National hopefuls Remastered, The Big Breakaway, Threeunderthrufive and Cloudy Glen may also be in the mix here.
Dual Champion Hurdle hero HONEYSUCKLE can bounce back and land a fourth Cheltenham Festival victory in the Grade One Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (GBB Race) (4.10pm).
Having been unbeaten up to this season, including winning this Mares' Hurdle in 2019, the Henry De Bromhead-trained nine-year-old has been beaten twice in her last two runs. Connections decided not to bid for a third Champion Hurdle victory and a clash with Constitution Hill and have pitched her back against her own sex. That could be the right choice and she can hold off Epatante, Marie's Rock and Brandy Love to return to winning ways.
READ MORE: Grand National 2023: dates, tickets and how to watch on TV
Leading trainer at the Festival, County Carlow handler Mullins, may end the start and end the day with winners. He can take the penultimate event of the afternoon with the JP McManus-owned TEKAO in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (4.50pm); and another Grand National contender, the progressive novice GAILLARD DU MESNIL, may be too good for them in the finale, the Grade Two Wellchild Naitonal Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (GBB Race) (5.30pm) before heading to Aintree next month.
Wright Ones
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY ONE
1.30pm Il Etait Temps
2.10pm Jonbon
2.50pm Into Overdrive (NAP)
3.30pm Constitution Hill
4.10pm Honeysuckle
4.50pm Tekao
5.30pm Gaillard Du Mesnil
