Ross Millar: The Constitution Hill puzzle and Monday tips

Racing has several well-documented problems but after this Saturday it’s certain that a lack of drama and excitement is not one of them.

But let's structure this in the correct order. 

Golden Ace was flawless in winning the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle. 

Racing just in behind the leaders and jumping with pin-point accuracy, she looked to be taking the measure of The New Lion when he departed at the second last, and then when challenged by the strong travelling Anzadam she battled well and ran straight and true to the line, while her challenger looked more than a touch awkward when under pressure. 

Jumping and galloping is what this sport is about and on Saturday, as she had when winning the Champion Hurdle in March, the under-appreciated daughter of Golden Horn did this better than her four rivals.  

Yet, as at Cheltenham, much of the focus after the race was sadly, but understandably, diverted away from her. 

The return of Constitution Hill, and his ability to jump soundly, had dominated the discussion before the race. 

I’m sure I can’t have been alone in letting out a deep breath when at the first hurdle, he soared over. But that relief was short lived as at the very next flight he came up a stride early to land in the hurdle and crash to the ground. Thankfully, he was quickly to his feet and galloping away. 

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I’m not short of an opinion and nor am I shy to share it regardless of whether I think it will be popular or not. In this instance I truthfully haven’t a clue!  

At this juncture, all ideas are valid. Change the jockey; hold him deeper to the hurdle; fire him more positively to the hurdle; equip him with cheekpieces/noseband; maybe even fit him with orange lens sunglasses. 

No potential remedy can be readily dismissed, although personally I’m not sure sending him chasing is the solution as to my mind it’s not a lack of respect but rather a lack of concentration and confidence that seems to be his problem. 

It's not unreasonable to think that we may have seen him tackle obstacles in public for the last time. Nicky Henderson summed it up well in the aftermath when saying “Can we go on asking him to do it? It doesn’t seem fair on anybody.” 

 The risks of jump racing are there for all to see, but we can rationalise it by feeling that all reasonable precautions are taken to minimise such risk. 

Regrettably and through no lack of effort or talent, it would seem Constitution Hill is no longer equipped with the tools to negotiate obstacles competently. 

Those around him know him best and I have no doubt they will decide the appropriate next steps. 

Away from Newcastle, Panic Attack gave Tristan Durrell his biggest day in the saddle when winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. 

Winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup over 2m4f at Cheltenham a fortnight before, she had to contend here with a 4lb penalty (although all bar one of those was offset by her riders 3lb claim) and more pertinently an extra six furlongs. 

I had felt he trip might stretch her but her power-packed finishing effort made a mockery of that notion. 

She does hold an entry in the King George at Kempton and, given that she is clearly in the form of her life, it may well be a star worth shooting for. 

It’s possible that The Two Harrys might be seen to better effect when entering the handicapping system after this run. 

However, he shaped well enough on his seasonal return at Chepstow at a time when Harry Derham’s yard had not hit form. 

This time last year he’s caught the eye when staying on over 2m at Lingfield. With race fitness now in the bank and this extra furlong likely to suit, he could well land this. 

The form of her win at Kelso in early November has taken a knock with runner-up Mailot Blanc being well beaten on his latest start, but nevertheless Take A Hike was convincing on that occasion, staying on strongly over three furlongs less than this trip. 

A 5lb rise does demand more but she’s clearly returned in good form this season and can win again. 

He gained his first career win on his latest start at Carlisle, battling tenaciously up the hill over 2m1f. 

That was not the deepest handicap, but neither is this and the soft ground coupled with the extra three furlongs may well draw out further improvement.