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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
irishmirror.ie

Cheltenham Festival day 1 declarations in full as Constitution Hill to face six rivals in Champion Hurdle

Hot favourite Constitution Hill will take on six rivals in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old has been sensational since making his debut at Sandown in December 2021, winning all five of his starts under rules, including the last four at the top level.

He has not raced since sauntering to a 17-length defeat of stablemate Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, but is long odds-on to give Henderson a ninth victory in the extended two-mile showpiece.

READ MORE: Leading horse racing trainer Jessica Harrington opens up on cancer battle

Willie Mullins saddles State Man, who has a little more experience and is unbeaten in six completed outings for his Closutton trainer after falling on his Irish debut.

State Man has similarly won his last four Grade One contests and heads to Prestbury Park as the Irish Champion Hurdle winner.

Mullins is double-handed with last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban lining up, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for Zanahiyr, who finished third in the race last year but has subsequently been disqualified.

Phil Kirby has declared Jason The Militant, while Nigel Twiston-Davies relies on I Like To Move It, who won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November and also the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on his last run.

The field is completed by Not So Sleepy, who represents Hughie Morrison.

1.30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Chasing Fire Aidan Coleman

Dark Raven Daryl Jacob

Diverge Patrick Mullins

Doctor Bravo Davy Russell

Facile Vega Paul Townend

Fennor Cross Simon Torrens

High Definition JJ Slevin

Il Etait Temps Danny Mullins

Inthepocket Rachael Blackmore

Marine Nationale Michael O'Sullivan

Palace Boy Paddy Brennan

Rare Edition Sam Twiston-Davies

Strong Leader Sean Bowen

Tahmuras Harry Cobden

2.10 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy

Ballybreeze Robert Dunne

Dysart Dynamo Danny Mullins

El Fabiolo Paul Townend

Ha d'Or

Hollow Games Davy Russell

Jonbon Aidan Coleman

Saint Roi Mark Walsh

Straw Fan Jack Sean Houlihan

Effernock Fizz Sam Ewing

2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase

Fanion d'Estruval Miss Lucy Turner(5)

Happygolucky David Bass

Remastered David Noonan

The Big Breakaway Brendan Powell

Threeunderthrufive A. P. Heskin

Fastorslow J. J. Slevin

The Goffer Davy Russell

Tea Clipper Stan Sheppard

Into Overdrive Jamie Hamilton

Corach Rambler Derek Fox

Cloudy Glen Charlie Deutsch

Nassalam Jamie Moore

Karl Philippe Jack Hogan (5)

Top Ville Ben Thomas Dowson

Monbeg Genius Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Good Boy Bobby Daryl Jacob

Oscar Elite Harry Cobden

3.10 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Constitution Hill Nico de Boinville

I Like To Move It Sam Twiston-Davies

Jason The Militant Joe Williamson

Not So Sleepy Jonathan Burke

State Man Paul Townend

Vauban Danny Mullins

Zanahiyr Davy Russell

4.10 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

Brandy Love Paul Townend

Echoes In Rain Mr P. W. Mullins

Epatante Aidan Coleman

Honeysuckle Rachael Blackmore

Love Envoi Jonathan Burke

Marie's Rock Nico de Boinville

Midnight Ginger James Martin

Queens Brook Davy Russell

Shewearsitwell Danny Mullins

Theatre Glory Daryl Jacob

4.50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

McTigue Donagh Meyler

Tekao Mark Walsh

Perseus Way Jamie Moore

Sir Allen Danny Mullins

Byker Phillip Byrnes (5)

Risk Belle Luke Dempsey

Punta Del Este Harry Skelton

Bad Rachael Blackmore

Samuel Spade Luca Morgan

Jazzy Matty M. J. M. O'Sullivan (3)

Metamorpheus Sean Flanagan

Action Motion Mr Harry Swan (5)

Morning Soldier

Mighty Mo Missouri Conor Smithers (7)

Fils de Roi Paddy Brennan

Afadil Harry Cobden

Gordons Aura Sam Ewing

Shared Sheepskin Paul O'Brien

Ludus Jordan Gainford

Sundial Simon Torrens

Mr Freedom Robert Dunne

5.30 Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase

Chemical Energy Mr J. J. Codd

Coolvalla Mr Joshua Newman

Fakiera Mr D. G. Lavery

Gaillard du Mesnil Mr P. W. Mullins

Mahler Mission Mr J. C. Barry

Malinello Miss Gina Andrews

Minella Crooner Mr Barry O'Neill

Mister Coffey

Tenzing Mr N. McParlan

Bellatrixsa Miss Lucy Turner

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