Constitution Hill’s jockey apologises to punters after winning Champion Hurdle by NINE lengths
CONSTITUTION HILL’S jockey Nico de Boinville apologised to punters after winning the Champion Hurdle by NINE lengths.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star was astonishing in the big race on the first day of Cheltenham Festival.
But not everyone was cheering the horse’s runaway win at amazingly short odds of 4-11.
A load of punters had backed Constitution Hill to win by ten lengths or more at odds ranging from 2-1 to 3-1.
Bearing in mind the horse had won every single of his five previous races by 12 lengths or more, it appeared a really good price.
And it looked like coming in as Constitution Hill powered round the home bend, switched on the turbo and left runner-up State Man trailing in his wake.
But like when he won the Supreme last year, De Boinville started celebrating yards before the post.
That meant the horse slowed down approaching the line – narrowing the distance he was in front.
Most read in Horse Racing
And the official margin of victory was given as nine lengths, depriving punters of a payout on their bets.
De Boinville told Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman after victory: “He’s won hard held – and anyone who’s backed him for ten lengths or more – I apologise!”
State Man finished a distant second after being sent off 7-2 while Zanahiyr completed the places at monster odds of 66-1.
Constitution Hill was immediately installed as the 4-7 fav for next year’s Champion Hurdle.
But he looked like he could go round again after winning the top two-mile race for hurdlers.
And surely a career over fences – and possibly a spin at the Gold Cup – beckons in the future.
Speaking of what the win meant to him, De Boinville said: “What a horse!
“He’s come up out of my hand, he had loads left and he’s given me a terrific spin round.
“On a personal level, it’s been a dream of mine to get the big three (Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup) and I’m delighted to achieve it.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org