Horse Racing
WATCH: Constitution Hill Winning 2024 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, Now New Champion Hurdle Favourite
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 betterPublished26 Dec 2024
After all the pre-race hype it was Constitution Hill who beat Lossiemouth in the 2024 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day – confirming himself as BACK after a year out with several setbacks.
This win has now also propelled Constitution Hill back to the top of the Champion Hurdle market with horse racing Cheltenham crown since Hurricane Fly in 2013.
Constitution Hill Wins 2024 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton
The Christmas Hurdle was billed as one of the races of the 2024/25 jumps season with heavyweights from this division Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth locking horns in the big Boxing Day feature at Kempton and it didn’t disappoint.
Despite Lossiemouth always seemingly on the backfoot, the Willie Mullins-trained mare stayed on well up the Kempton straight to get within 2 1/2 lengths of Constitution Hill – with many feeling the stiffer finish at Cheltenham will suit her better.
Constitution Hill also become the first to win three Christmas Hurdles – with his other wins coming in 2022 and 2023, which added to his 2024 success.
Having been off the track since winning the 2023 Christmas Hurdle with a lung infection and suspected colic – plus having a wind operation and mission his intended comeback run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle – many had questioned if Constitution Hill would return the same horse.
In what was a superb training performance from Nicky Henderson, who was winning his 13th Christmas Hurdle – these worries are now quashed and the 7 year-old is now firmly on track for the Champion Hurdle – a race Henderson has won nine times and more than any other yard.
Constitution Hill Career In Numbers
- Runs: 9
- Wins: 9
- Career Prize Money: £805,677
WATCH: Constitution Hill Winning The 2024 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton
Constitution Hill is back! 💥
He wins the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle for the third year in a row! 🏆🏆🏆#ITVRacing | @kemptonparkrace | @NdeBoinville | @sevenbarrows pic.twitter.com/fBoBQ0EVcj
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 26, 2024
Christmas Hurdle Result 2024 In Full
- 1st: Constitution Hill 5/6 fav
- 2nd: Lossiemouth 11/8
- 3rd Burdett Road 16/1
What Next For Lossiemouth After Christmas Hurdle Defeat?
As a result of losing out to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle – Lossiemouth was pushed out to third favourite in the Champion Hurdle market – with the 2024 winner State Man sandwiched between the pair in the market.
There is still an argument to suggest that Cheltenham will suit Lossiemouth better and a rematch could be on the cards. While the talented grey also has the option to revert back to the Mares’ Hurdle – a race she won 12 months ago at the Cheltenham Festival.
She’s currently second favourite in that market with the best horse racing betting sites behind the Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead.