The return of Constitution Hill is nigh as the undefeated hurdler is one of four horses declared for the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. The main event on the King George VI Chase undercard is a 2m hurdling showpiece and was won by Constitution Hill on his only start of the 2023/24 jumps season.
The seven-year-old will make his long-awaited return exactly a year on and seek to maintain his unbeaten record under rules with the goal of returning to regain his Champion Hurdle title at Cheltenham in three months’ time.
King George VI Chase Runners 2024 – 11 Declared to Dazzle at Kempton
11 runners have been declared for the 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. They include the well-backed favourite Spillane’s Tower, who had been supplemented by trainer James Joseph Mangan earlier in the week after beginning his season with a fine runner-up effort in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown. He finished…
Thu 26 Dec 2024However, the division’s burgeoning star Lossiemouth has also been declared by Willie Mullins and the heavyweight pair are set to serve up a real Christmas crack in what is one of the most exciting clashes in recent times.
The Irish-trained grey has carried Rich Ricci’s colours with immense distinction in recent seasons, being beaten only once and dispatching all of her rivals so far in open company. She was a ready winner of the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season and ended Teahupoo’s two-year reign in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on her return at Fairyhouse.
The gutsy Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road, who improved on the flat last season and continues to build his way towards the top level has been entered by James Owen and is looking to put his name into the Champion Hurdle picture, while Lump Sum was runner-up to Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, though he was readily put in his place.
Christmas Hurdle 2024 Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Burdett Road | James Owen |
| 2 | Constitution Hill | Nicky Henderson |
| 3 | Lump Sum | Sam Thomas |
| 4 | Lossiemouth | Willie Mullins |