Horse Racing-Constitution Hill romps to Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenham

The six-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, lived up to his billing as a potential great of national hunt racing, by leaving a high-quality field scrapping for second. His victory, by a huge nine lengths, was a record-extending ninth Champion Hurdle victory for trainer Nicky Henderson. Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man was second past the post with 66-1 shot Zanahiyr third.

Favourite Constitution Hill romped to victory in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The six-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, lived up to his billing as a potential great of national hunt racing, by leaving a high-quality field scrapping for second.

His victory, by a huge nine lengths, was a record-extending ninth Champion Hurdle victory for trainer Nicky Henderson. Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man was second past the post with 66-1 shot Zanahiyr third.