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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Greg Wood at Aintree

Constitution Hill imperious in victory on day one of Grand National meeting

Constitution Hill, ridden by Nico de Boinville, jumps the last to win the Aintree Hurdle.
Constitution Hill, ridden by Nico de Boinville, jumps the last to win the Aintree Hurdle. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Someone threw the wrong winner’s blanket over Constitution Hill after he extended his record to seven from seven here on Thursday – something will have gone awry if he ever wins a handicap chase – but that was the only blip in another flawless afternoon’s work for Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten hurdler as he won the Aintree Hurdle.

Whether he will attempt to translate his brilliance to steeplechasing next season remains to be seen. Over hurdles, though, there is little left for Constitution Hill to achieve. This first start at two-and-a-half miles proved to be every bit as processional as his six at the minimum trip.

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