Horse Racing
Constitution Hill Dropped 13lbs By Handicapper In 2024-25 Anglo-Irish Hurdles Classifications
Andy is a horse racing journalist and betting expert who specializes in trends and stats. With his long association with TrainersQuotes and FromTheStables, Andy has also built up solid s with some of the best stables in the UK. Has written for GeeGeez and bookmakers Matchbook and BetBright in the past too, plus was the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and Juicestorm. Has also appeared on betting podcasts for MatchBook and has featured in the popular Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide in the past. Andy's also ghost written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody and continues to have a monthly column in the Racing Ahead horse racing magazine. Now a regular on Sportscasting giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing - if there's a stat to be explored and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find a betting angle to use. You can also hear Andy's weekly horse racing views and best bets on the popular Final Furlong podcast.
Get to know Andy Newton betterPublished28 May 2025
The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill had a season to forget – with falls at the big Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, plus a poor fifth in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle – and as a result the British handicapper has dropped the Nicky Henderson-trained 13lb in the ratings.
Constitution Hill Dropped 13lbs To A Mark Of 162 In Anglo-Irish Hurdles Classifications
After a year on the sidelines the 2024-25 season was meant to see the return of Constitution Hill and after a win in the Christmas Hurdle and Unibet Hurdle – everything looked on track to win back his Champion Hurdle crown at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
However, despite being sent off as the 1/2 favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK, Constitution Hill fell four out when holding every chance and that tumble started a run of two more poor showings.
After Cheltenham he returned at Liverpool but fell again – with Lossiemouth winning the Aintree Hurdle.
Then connections gave him another try in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in May – and despite not falling this time, ran a poor fifth – beaten 27 lengths behind old rival State Man.
With these three runs leaving horse racing fans wondering what’s next for Constitution Hill and if he’ll even be seen on the track again.
Royal Ascot Run On The Flat For Constitution Hill Shelved
Connections had muted a run on the flat at in the Ascot Gold Cup, where he might have met the since retired Kyprios.
But the Constitution Royal Ascot entry was scrapped – with Nicky Henderson saying they will regroup over the summer ready for next season.
With Nicky Henderson saying – “He’s fine. But we’ve decided that the best decision is to give him a summer turned out now.”
As a result, the handicapper has reacted to these three poor Constitution Hill runs to drop him 13lbs in the Anglo-Irish classifications – from a mark of 175 to 162.
However, despite this big fall – Constitution Hill remains the highest-rated British horse in the Anglo-Irish hurdles classifications and is 3lbs clear of The New Lion (159).
2025 Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man remains steady at a mark of 167 – down just a pound from his 2025 rating of 168.
While nine of the top 11 hurdles are Irish-trained – with four of them coming from the powerful Willie Mullins yard.
2024/25 Anglo-Irish Hurdles Classifications (top 10)
- State Man 167 (-1)
- Bob Olinger 164 (+6)
- Constitution Hill 162 (-13)
- Teahupoo 162 (-1)
- Home By The Lee 160 (+1)
- Brighterdaysahead 159 (-4)
- Lossiemouth 159 (-1)
- The New Lion 159 (+12)
- Kopek Des Bordes 158 (-1)
- Final Demand 158 (+6)
- Hiddenvalley Lake 158 (-1)
The New Lion Roars To New 12lbs Higher Rating (159)
With the release of the 2024/25 Anglo-Irish hurdles classifications the biggest mover on the rise was the Dan Skelton-trained The New Lion.
This JP McManus-owned 6 year-old was given a new mark of 159, which was up 12lbs from his old rating of 147.
The New Lion remains unbeaten over hurdles (4-from-4) and was last seen winning the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March (watch below).
As a result, he’s now one of the big fancies for the 2026 Champion Hurdle where the best betting sites in the UK make him the 4/1 favourite behind Lossiemouth (5/1) and the 2024 winner State Man (8/1).
Final Demand, who was third to The New Lion at Cheltenham was also hiked up the ratings – moving up 6lbs to 158. While the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle winner Bob Olinger was another on the up, having been raised 6lbs to 164.