Here we go! Constitution Hill declared to face Lossiemouth in Christmas hurdles clash for the ages

Constitution Hill And Lossiemouth are set for a blockbuster clash in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) at Kempton on Thursday after being among four declarations for Grade 1.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star will put his eight-race unbeaten record under rules on the line in a race he won last season in his final action.

Constitution Hill missed the Champion Hurdle in March after sub-par training at Kempton before the meeting, with subsequent blood tests suggesting the top hurdler was “definitely under the weather”.

The seven-year-old, owned by Michael Buckley, suffered a bout of colic in late March and missed last month’s BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle after an unusual case of lameness following a job at Newbury.

Constitution Hill beat Rubaud by nine and a half lengths in this race on his only start last campaign, but faces a much stiffer test against Champion Hurdle favorite Lossiemouth.

It will be the first time they have met and Lossiemouth is benefiting from a recent run after beating Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse this month.

Lossiemouth, trained by Willie Mullins, is 9-10 under the rules – her only defeat came when second to stablemate Gala Marceau in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown in February of the year last – and she is undefeated in three starts in Great Britain.

All three victories came at Cheltenham, with festival victories in the Triumph Hurdle and Mares’ Hurdle and success in last season’s International Hurdle.

Burdett Roadwinner of last month’s Greatwood Hurdle, is an interesting opponent, with Harry Cobden maintaining the partnership with four-year-old James Owen.

The Gredley family-owned hurdler was 2-3 over jumps as a juvenile last season and was raised to 9lb by the handicapper following his mid-length success at November’s Cheltenham meeting .

This is a big jump in ratings for Burdett Road, which has a rating of 109 on the flat, and in terms of ratings it faces a tough task against market principles.

Fight the fifth obstacle second Lump sum completes the field and is ridden by Dylan Johnston. He finished eight lengths behind Sir Gino at Newcastle, with the winner undeclared for the Christmas Hurdle and looking likely to make his debut over fences in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Friday in a potential clash with Ballyburn.

• Burdett Road Harry Cobden
• Constitution Hill Nicolas de Boinville
• Lump sum Dylan Johnston
• Lossiemouth rider to be confirmed

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