Constitution Hill v Honeysuckle Champion Hurdle Clash Back On

When Honeysuckle crossed the line as winner of the 2022 Champion Hurdle, we were desperate for something to come and challenge her in 2023. Constitution Hill has quickly taken his place as that horse, but after a poor run on her seasonal reappearance, doubts were cast by Henry de Bromhead as to whether Honeysuckle would be back to defend her Champion Hurdle crown in March.

A new update at the start of 2023, has given optimism that the clash between these two horses is back on, something that will no doubt get racing fans excited for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, just over two months away.

Peter Malony, racing manager to Honeysuckle’s owner Kenny Alexander, has issued a positive report on the horse, stating that she will either go to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle, or be retired, rather than dropping down to run in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Of course, the retirement talk is not what we want to hear, but there had been concern that Honeysuckle would drop down to the Mares’ Hurdle, if she wasn’t quite at her best, but that is now seemingly off the table.

Given her first run of the season, which ended in defeat, wasn’t a disaster, and she is expected to have improved considerably from that, running poorly enough in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February to be retired, seems a long shot right now.

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In the other corner of the ring, things have been plain sailing for Constitution Hill. He returned with a 12 length victory in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, before backing that up with a 17 length win in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Yes, you can say he’s not beaten too much, but he’s been graded horses and done it with incredible ease.

That’s led to Constitution Hill not only overtaking Honeysuckle at the head of the market for the Champion Hurdle, but he’s soared to the top of the market and is now long odds on for success. Even in her prime, Honeysuckle was not this short to win the Champion Hurdle this far out, she wasn’t this short on the day when she won her two titles.

It’s the clash that all racing fans want to happen, and let’s hope that it does. For Constitution Hill, it’s all systems go to the Champion Hurdle, and he won’t have another run before that day. Honeysuckle will, next month at Leopardstown, and this will decide her fate. But in terms of Cheltenham, it’s the Champion Hurdle or nothing, at least according to Peter Malony, so let’s hope that delivers the clash we are all waiting to see, the old favourite, against the new kid on the block.

Latest 2023 Champion Hurdle Betting Odds

• Constitution Hill - 4/11 (Betfair)
• State Man - 5/1 (BetVictor)
• Honeysuckle - 8/1 (bet365)
• Vauban - 10/1 (Coral)
• Odds correct as of 10am Monday 9th January, 2023