13 March 2022

Constitution Hill bids to give Britain a Supreme start

13 March 2022

Constitution Hill is set for a fascinating clash with stablemate Jonbon and Irish challenger Dysart Dynamo in Tuesday’s Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the opening contest of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill has won each of his two hurdles outings, coming home a comfortable winner of the Grade One Tolworth at Sandown on his most recent start in January.

Fellow Henderson inmate Jonbon is also unbeaten over hurdles, winning three times so far this season, including Grade Twos at Ascot and Haydock on his last two runs.

Dysart Dynamo is Willie Mullins’ leading hope (Donall Farmer/PA) (PA Wire)

The Willie Mullins-trained Dysart Dynamo is another with a 100 per cent record to defend, having hacked up by 19 lengths in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle last time out.

Mullins also runs Kilcruit, who was a Grade One bumper winner and got off the mark over hurdles at the third time of asking last time, plus Bring On The Night, winner of a Naas maiden last month.

Mighty Potter, JPR One, Shallwehaveonemore and Silent Revolution complete the nine-strong field.

Edwardstone will try to keep up his winning run (Steven Paston/PA) (PA Wire)

Edwardstone highlights 11 contenders for the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.

Winner of his last four starts for Alan King, he won the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase back in December and he will clash with another top level victor in Mullins’ Blue Lord here.

Mullins also has Haut En Couleurs and Saint Sam in the line up while Gordon Elliott’s Riviere D’etel, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Gabynako and Henry de Bromhead’s pair of Magic Daze and Coeur Sublime make up a strong Irish challenge.

Brave Seasca, Red Rookie and War Lord round out the list.

Stormy Ireland was a Cheltenham winner back in January (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is also a Grade One contest and 12 have been declared for that, with Mullins’ trio of Burning Victory, Echoes In Rain and Stormy Ireland among the leading contenders.

De Bromhead’s Telmesomethinggirl, Queens Brook, Heaven Help Us and Marie’s Rock are other key names.

Lucy Wadham fields Martello Sky, winner of three of her four starts so far this term.

The Newmarket handler sent out United to finish second to six-times Festival winner Quevega in the 2009 renewal of this race, when it was a Grade Two contest, and Wadham feels Martello Sky shares some similarities with her former inmate.

Martello Sky shoots for Grade One gold (David Davies/PA) (PA Archive)

Wadham said: “It would be beyond our wildest dreams if she won.

“United was such a good mare but there wasn’t a mares’ race at the time at Cheltenham and then they created it. However, Quevega arrived and that was that!

“United came to us from Germany from the Flat so she was probably a bit sharper, but they are similar in the sense that they are both very athletic and not very substantial looking.

“They are both able to handle any type of ground and I think the other thing they have in common is that will to win. That is something you can’t buy.

“Martello Sky has done all her work now and her schooling. We have just got to keep her right until Tuesday, so that is a bit nerve-wracking but I can’t wait.”

Frodon will line up in handicap company (Niall Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Former Ryanair Chase winner Frodon heads 24 for the Ultima Handicap Chase, with Gericault Roque the last to make the cut and Pontresina waiting in the wings as reserve.

The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle has also drawn a full field of 22, with Mullins’ Gaelic Warrior well touted ahead of his debut for the yard having previously been trained in France.

Just seven have been declared for the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase.

Mullins has a leading chance with Stattler in this contest, with Vanillier, Run Wild Fred and Pats Fancy also holding strong claims.

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