Constitution Hill suffers Cheletenham fright: Angry de Boinville has heart in mouth after a brutal last-fence scare
Angry Nico de Boinville admitted his heart was in his mouth after a brutal last-fence scare almost sank superstar Constitution Hill.
Jump racing’s biggest icon made it 10 wins out of 10 with a bloodless success in the Unibet International Hurdle. It was almost the perfect preparation for his bid to regain the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March only for the final-flight mishap to almost stun 22,000 fans.
Constitution Hill was cruising in front only to put an extra stride in before the last fence and clatter through it. Nicky Henderson’s superstar showed terrific talent and power to stay upright and clear away to win at odds of 1/12. However, jockey de Boinville was annoyed with himself after the incident.
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When it was put to him by ITV that the entire track had taken a sharp intake of breath at the scary moment, he said: “Me included. I think my heart was in my mouth. But he was just doing it so easily and I don’t know, he was either on a long one [stride] or he was going to just fiddle away and he’s done something in the middle. Look, he’s found a leg and that was fine, but he wouldn’t even blow a candle out here. He’s hardly blowing. I’m delighted with him, just angry at myself really rather than anything.”
The massive crowd rammed into Cheltenham for Trials day with the eight-year-old the star attraction. De Boinville added: “It’s fantastic and having back at Cheltenham as well, it’s great that everyone’s come to see him as well. It was good bar the last. He gave everyone a heart attack, myself included. He was just half asleep. He was doing it so easily. I just said to the boss we’re going to have to work him next week as he had it so easy there. He is special, the horse of a lifetime. Everything went to plan, bar the last.”
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