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“Four countries out over Israel.”
A few more than that will be needed to make much difference to the UK’s chances
A very sad end for a trusty and durable performer who rarely ran a bad race.
As his name suggests, he was a half brother to the Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, and also to Limerick Lace.
RIP Ilikedwayurthinkin
Sad to learn Hawk Wing has passed away, but good to hear he had a long life.
That Lockinge performance where he won by 11 lengths will always remain one of the most visually impressive Group 1 performances I’ve seen.
If you took Hawk Wing out of the race, it’s amazing to think that a similar comment could have been made about the runner-up Where Or When, who was himself 8 lengths ahead of the rest of the field.
RIP Hawk Wing
As he’s a gelding and Constitution Hill has vacated the throne, it’s time to pop Calandagan over hurdles
Good to see him getting some well-deserved recognition.
I don’t recall this happening previously Astralcharmer, or anything similar involving horses running on both sides of the English Channel on consecutive days.
Whimsy was competing in hurdles races, and this seems quite a lot to ask of the horse combined with the long journeys.
If there are any precedents, I’d have thought it would most likely be a sprinter, or perhaps something trained by someone known for running their horses frequently such as Martin Pipe.
The only way to see what he could achieve on the Flat is to try. As I say, I’d not be expecting much, but I’m in no rush to retire him off.
The fact that the horse has generated a 126-page thread when many posts on here struggle to receive any replies at all speaks for itself. The sport needs its stars, and I’d be interested to see Constitution Hill given the opportunity to race without any hurdles to get in his way.
I wouldn’t view whatever happened in such a venture as tarnishing his legacy any more than it already has been. His early hurdling achievements cannot be taken away.
Regardless of his recent dismal record, Constitution Hill is a star racehorse. As someone who enjoys the sport of horseracing, I don’t understand why so many people are in a rush to sweep him off the stage entirely into retirement.
I’m uneasy about the horse continuing his career over Jumps in any capacity now though. It would be bordering on irresponsible to continue in my view, and would be terrible publicity for the sport if he fell again, let alone worse happening.
But I still think the Flat is worth exploring. Yes, the horse is old for such a venture, and realistically I would not expect anything too fantastic to happen, but it is worth a try if he is still showing something at home. He is still quite lightly raced, and Henderson has enjoyed plenty of success with older horses on the Flat. Even if Constitution Hill ends up finishing down the field in a couple of maidens or handicaps, I think that would be a better end to his career than crashing out over hurdles.
Agree he’d be in the veteran stage for Flat racing Gladiateur, but older horses doing well on the Flat is not that uncommon. He’s such a good horse at his best that I’d like to see it given a try at least, and Henderson has achieved considerable success with older Flat horses. Seeing Constitution Hill turned out over Jumps again would be an uneasy watch though.
I’m rarely part of the chorus calling for a horse to be retired – such demands often seem to be made prematurely, and fail to recognise that all horses go in and out of form. However, four dismal performances in a row including three falls suggest Constitution Hill has a significant physical or mental issue. It was sad to see such a brilliant horse on the floor again today. I’m not sure I want to see him risked over Jumps again.
If he were mine, I’d give him a try on the Flat, and retire him if that didn’t work.
I’m sure most posters on here are miles away from the target demographic for these nights, me included.
I’m not against these schemes, but the racecourses need some joined-up thinking in how to use them to actually market racing, and make clear there is something worth being there for apart from the bar.
Really hope this venture proves successful. Seeing Group class horses transfer successfully from the Flat to the Jumps is such a rarity nowadays. In fact it’s probably more common to see the reverse happen!
Where Nicky Henderson often gets accused of wrapping his horses up in cotton wool, it’s interesting that he certainly hasn’t hung about in sending Sir Gino and Lulamba chasing.
My 10 for this season. Thanks very much for organising this fantastic contest VtC.
Ballyburn
Fact To File
Gaelic Warrior
Il Etait Temps
Jonbon
Lossiemouth
Majborough
Marine Nationale
Myretown
State ManGood luck everyone
Very sad to see Third Time Lucki’s name here. He was such an exciting novice chaser, and it was lovely seeing him return to form recently.
It looked to my eyes as if he cleared the water jump fine but broke down on landing. Whatever happened, it’s an unbefitting end for a wonderful horse.
RIP Third Time Lucki
I’d happily see an end to water jumps, but Third Time Lucki’s injury looked like something that could happen at any fence. He appeared to clear the obstacle cleanly and then break down on landing. It didn’t look like one of those horrible incidents where the horse catches the lip of the water.
Whichever races were chosen, there would be zero chance of a Festival card on the Saturday drawing the same level of attention as it does now. Since its move, the Derby has been reduced to a brief distraction from the football or rugby. Its fate should serve as a warning to those considering this thoroughly misguided idea.
