Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth on course for rematch

Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth could clash again after both appeared among six entries for the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, live on Racing TV.

The pair met in a Christmas cracker at Kempton on Boxing Day, with the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero dishing out just the second defeat of Lossiemouth’s career as he beat Willie Mullins’ mare by two and a half lengths.

Henderson, who surprised many by stating his intention to run this weekend, liked what he saw when Constitution Hill schooled on Monday morning.

“Apparently, it will be a rematch! He’s in great form, he jumped five hurdles in the fog this morning and he was his usual self,” said Henderson.

“We always give him a pop a few days before he runs, not every horse but with him it just flicks his switch.”

Brentford Hope, Fils d’Oudairies, Joyeux Machin and Spirits Bay are the other possibles.

Last year’s Betfair Cotswold Chase winner Capodanno could face L’Homme Presse in defence of his Grade Two title.

Chantry House, Dashel Drasher, Delta Work, Gentlemansgame and Stage Star are among nine entries.

Crambo and Strong Leader head 10 contenders in the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle, while Potters Charm is the star name in the Grade Two Ais Novices’ Hurdle.

East India Dock lost his position at the head of the Triumph Hurdle betting to Saturday’s Ascot winner Lulamba, but he will attempt to remind everyone of his talents in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

The dual hurdles winner also holds an entry at the Dublin Racing Festival but his trainer James Owen confirmed he will stay closer to home.

“He’ll go to Cheltenham, I just put him in in Ireland as a back-up in case anything happened at Cheltenham really,” said Owen.

“He’s training great, we love him at home. He had a bit of a break after his last run because there were no real races for him, this was the plan to run here and then bounce into the Triumph.

“The competition is getting stronger the closer we get to the Triumph, but I wouldn’t swap him and I’m hoping he can put himself right back in the picture on Saturday.”

Paul Nicholls’ new French recruit Sauvignon is a possible rival, along with last month’s Cheltenham dead-heaters Quantock Hills and Teriferma.