pity poor matt.

​Remember Sprinter Sacre. We must all, today of all days, remember Sprinter Sacre and his rise from the ashes of imminent retirement to providing us with, especially me, one of the greatest comebacks in racing history. Nicky Henderson worked the oracle in 2016 and we must all hope he can resurrect Constitution Hill in a similar manner in 2025/26.
Yesterday evening, Constitution Hill jumped the first flight of hurdles as if he has been running over fences all his life. Of course, he has not seen birch hurdles for a very long time and that first hurdle must have come as a surprise to him and that was doubtless the reason for his extravagance. It is possible he is fed-up with hearing his critics criticise his jumping technique and that first leap was his way of saying ‘suck on this, suckers.’ I doubt it, though. He is by all accounts too nice ‘a person’ for either rude gestures or to frighten his connections unnecessarily. 
I had expected James Bowen to allow Constitution Hill to bowl along, yet he seemed prepared to have Paul Townend boss the race in the way he bosses all the races in Ireland when minded to take command of the pace. For most of the race I was content with how Constitution Hill was jumping. He was perfectly placed to move-up to challenge State Man, yet it all fizzled out after a minor error at the third last (?) and it was a sad sight to see him finish fifth of six, though once victory was gone James Bowen dropped his hands and allowed his mount to saunter home in his own time.
I admit, I was shocked by the result. Even more shocked by the hapless performance by the former champion hurdler. And we must remind ourselves he is a former champion, and only once a champion. He dominated the hurdle scene for one season, with State Man now the present-day king of the hurdling division.
Strangely, after the shock of the race, my thoughts turned not to Henderson, Buckley, Bowen or de Boinville but to Matt Chapman. Matt has tied his colours to the white mast of the ‘unbeatable Constitution Hill’, ‘the greatest of all-time’, and now must take the flack for being so wrong and on so many occasions. Whether Paddy Brennan will receive an apology, I doubt. Though even I feel pity for Matt.
I somehow doubt anything will be found amiss with Constitution Hill and I hope they abandon the idea of going for the Ascot Gold Cup. The Queen Alexandra, possibly, though I would prefer the horse to have the summer off, though with an hour or so on a horse walker to prevent him arriving back at Seven Barrows in early autumn too chubby, as is, I believe, normally the case.
I remain steadfast in my belief that Constitution Hill should be schooled over fences in preparation for an early season novice chase campaign. Two runs over fences would demonstrate if he has a future as a chaser and jumping obstacles that require his full attention might rejuvenate his enthusiasm. Also, they could still run him in the Christmas Hurdle to gain an understanding of his position as a Champion Hurdle prospect.
What must be remembered is that Constitution Hill was bought as a Cheltenham Gold Cup possible and everything he has won thus far can be considered a bonus. It is quite natural for a horse to lose his speed as he gets older and acquire stamina in its place. I would not suggest that he has the stamina for a Cheltenham Gold Cup but he would surely fit the profile of a King George or Ryanair winner.
Yesterday was too bad to be true. Though it might be a true representation of where they are now with Constitution Hill as a Champion Hurdle contender. Yet Sprinter Sacre fell further down to earth than is so far the situation with Constitution Hill and yet in 2016 he rose from the ashes to win a competitive Champion Chase, his reputation enhanced. If Nicky could achieve magic on that day, he can do the same this time around. I just hope Nicky tears up his personal rule book and takes the brave root to repatriating Constitution Hill to superstardom.