Constitution Hill’s Road To Redemption: Can The Superstar Reclaim His Champion Hurdle Crown In 2026?

When Constitution Hill stormed to victory in the 2023 Champion Hurdle, the racing world anointed him as one of the greats of the modern era.

Unbeaten, untouchable, and seemingly unstoppable, he looked set to dominate National Hunt racing for years to come.

For fans and punters following betting across UK & Irish meetings, his brilliance became the benchmark, and he quickly established himself as the horse to watch for anyone looking to bet on horse racing at the highest level.

Yet, as Cheltenham 2026 approaches, his story is no longer one of effortless supremacy but of resilience, setbacks, and the quest for redemption.

The comeback begins

Having missed most of the 2023-24 season due to a series of health issues, Constitution Hill made his eagerly anticipated return in 2025. His comeback began brightly with a commanding victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, where he brushed aside Lossiemouth and looked every inch the superstar of old. Hopes soared for a repeat at Cheltenham.

But the Champion Hurdle told a different tale. With the crowd on edge, Constitution Hill departed at the fourth-last hurdle, standing off too far and clipping the top. It was a rare but costly mistake, reminding fans and punters alike of racing’s cruel unpredictability.

The fall, followed by another in the Aintree Hurdle next time out and a disappointing effort at Punchestown, left questions hanging over whether he could regain his dominance, or if the golden era had already passed.

The 2026 Challenge

Now, all eyes turn to March 2026, where Constitution Hill faces the most competitive Champion Hurdle field in recent memory. The list of potential rivals is formidable, ensuring this renewal could be one for the ages.

At the forefront of the conversation is The New Lion, unbeaten and already hailed as the sport’s rising star. Having captured the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, he carried that form throughout the season and now looks set to line up as favourite.

With his youth, consistency, and unexposed potential, The New Lion represents the biggest obstacle to Constitution Hill’s bid for glory. For many who bet on horse racing, his unbeaten streak will make him the banker of the race.

Then there is State Man, the 2024 Champion Hurdle winner. At Cheltenham in 2025, he looked destined to retain his crown before falling at the final flight with the race at his mercy. That heartbreaking tumble only reinforced his credentials as one of the division’s elite, and he remains a horse who must be respected when the tapes go up in March.

And what of Lossiemouth? Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci must still rue their decision not to run her in last year’s Champion Hurdle. With Constitution Hill and State Man both falling, the door would have been wide open for her to claim the crown.

Instead, she defended her Mares’ Hurdle crown before adding Aintree glory, further underlining her class. In 2026, she could well line up in the Champion Hurdle proper, and if she does, she may be the one horse capable of challenging The New Lion for outright favouritism.

The Golden Ace factor

Of course, the 2025 Champion Hurdle will forever be remembered for its shock outcome, with Golden Ace sweeping through at 25/1 to seize glory in the chaos. Trainer Jeremy Scott and owner Ian Gosden enjoyed the fairytale moment of their careers, and the mare will return to defend her title in 2026. While bookmakers are unlikely to underestimate her this time, the question remains: can she repeat the miracle in a field brimming with established champions and rising stars?

Constitution Hill’s chances

So where does Constitution Hill fit into this glittering line-up? On ability alone, he remains a once-in-a-generation talent. His cruising speed, slick hurdling, and devastating turn of foot are unmatched when he is at his best. The issue is not whether he has the class to win, he clearly does, but whether he retains the confidence and sharpness after his Cheltenham fall.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has been cautious, acknowledging the challenge of bringing his star back to peak form at the right moment. Much may depend on his prep races in the run-up to March. A fluent win in the Christmas Hurdle or at Sandown in the Contenders Hurdle could restore faith and shorten his odds considerably.

For fans and punters alike, the allure of Constitution Hill lies in both his brilliance and his vulnerability. Those who bet on horse racing know that few wagers stir the emotions quite like backing a fallen champion on the comeback trail.