Willie Mullins’ Vauban was famously very strongly backed for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. A notable hurdler and Cheltenham Festival winner in England, he was good on the flat but came up short in the big one. Could we now see another top hurdler entering contention for the 2024 version of the race?
Betting May Be a Clue to Hill’s Participation
After the split of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, even more doors may be opening for overseas contenders if their trainers wish to get involved.
Though we haven’t heard much yet from Nicky Henderson, his Constitution Hill has been introduced into the Melbourne Cup betting by bet365. They have the gelding at $26 and it’ll be interesting to see if there’s much interest in the coming weeks.
There may be something in this move too. Constitution Hill was well touted for the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup last June at the royal meeting. That is a weight-for-age Group 1.
We’re not sure how ambitious Nicky Henderson is, but prize money must surely be a factor in his decision making. Constitution Hill is a monster over hurdles but the prize money in British jumps racing is meagre and this horse has the talent to earn so much more.
Who is Constitution Hill?
Owned by Michael Buckley, Constitution Hill is a six-year-old gelding. He was bought by Buckley after finishing second in a point-to-point race at Tipperary in Ireland.
Having been sent to Nicky Henderson, he won his debut hurdle race at Sandown by 14 lengths. A Grade 1 win at the same track followed by 12 lengths before he was sent to the Cheltenham Festival. There, he was the 9/4 joint-favourite to win his Grade 1 festival race which he did spectacularly by 22 lengths.
Last November, he returned at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. He took that down by 12 lengths before winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
A two-mile (3200m) specialist, by the time he got to the feature Champion Hurdle race at Cheltenham in March, he’d won his five hurdle races by an aggregate of 67 lengths. Sent off at 4/11 ($1.36), he again demolished his opposition.
He successfully stepped up to 2½ miles to finish his season with a Grade 1 win at Aintree. Since, he has recorded his eighth win from as many races with a second Christmas Hurdle success.
What Route Would Constitution Hill Take to the Cup?
If Nicky Henderson did decide to go for the Melbourne Cup, he’d surely keep two key things in mind. Firstly, he’d need the horse to run on the flat in Britain at a high level first. Secondly, he’d think about how a trip to Melbourne would affect his 2024/25 jumps campaign, especially with the Cheltenham Festival in mind.
A weight-for-age campaign would be better, such as going for the Gold Cup in June. A crack at the Ebor Handicap would be temping, which offers the winner ballot exemption for Flemington.
