tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out, came wide turning in, clear when edged right and hit 2 out, very easily
led until narrowly headed 4 out, chased winner, pushed along turning in, soon lost 2nd and outpaced in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and mistake 4th, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 4 out, lost ground and no chance after, well beaten 3 out, tailed off
held up in 4th on inside, jumped slowly and mistake 4 out, lost ground and no chance after
held up in 5th, smooth headway into 3rd 4 out, went 2nd turning in, ridden and no chance with winner
CONSTITUTION HILL powered away from stablemate Epatante in last month’s Fighting Fifth at Newcastle to extend his unbeaten record under Rules. He’s already a hot favourite for this season’s Champion Hurdle and should enhance his credentials today barring accidents. Sceau Royal has never won a Grade 1 over the smaller obstacles and both Metier and Highway One O Two are only handicappers who face a very stiff task at the weights.
Constitution Hill 1-4fav (11-10) Jumped well, made all, surged clear under hands and heels before 2 out, good jump last, eased close home, impressive, won at Newcastle 2m (1) gs in Nov beating Epatante (11-3) by 12l, 5 ran.
Highway One O Two (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Made all, pushed along and went 3 lengths ahead home turn, went further clear from before last, stayed on well, readily, won at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Hacker Des Places (12-0) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Metier (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Keen early, close up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged left and ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov beating Teed Up (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 21 ran.
Sceau Royal (FR) 11-8jfav (11-8) Jumped left on occasions, chased leader, shaken up to improve approaching 2 out, soon ridden and every chance approaching final flight, kept on flat but not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Knappers Hill (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gf in Nov.
Epatante (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leader, not fluent 3 out, ridden and chased clear leader before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Newcastle 2m (1) gs in Nov.
