Reigning Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill is joined by 21 rivals in the early entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle on March 12th.
Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten superstar may only have had one run in the build-up to the race this year, but is nevertheless the clear favourite to defend his title after another win on the bridle in Kempton’s Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. Once again, his chief danger will likely be Willie Mullins’ State Man, who continues to take all before him in Ireland, and whose only defeat since falling on his debut has been to Constitution Hill last March.
State Man also dashed the hopes of stablemate Impaire Et Passe, who is still in the top three in the betting despite requiring a 3¼-length turnaround just to beat that rival. His Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle victory last term still lives long in the memory, however.
Others who may fancy their chances of making the frame are a revitalised Bob Olinger, recent Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban, and the veteran Not So Sleepy. Plenty in the line-up have more than one booking, such as the mares Lossiemouth, Echoes In Rain, Love Envoi and Gala Marceau in the Mares’ Hurdle later on the card, as well as Triumph Hurdle favourite Burdett Road. Irish Point, Pied Piper, Luccia, and Zanahiyr, all have obligations they are likely to take up elsewhere too.
Among the likelier outsiders to feature are the five-year-olds Zarak The Brave and Under Control, though both have disappointments to overcome on their previous starts. The entries are completed by Colonel Mustard, Fils D’oudairies, First Street, Guard Your Dreams and Nemean Lion.
Champion Hurdle 2024 Entries
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Bob Olinger | Henry De Bromhead |
| 2 | Colonel Mustard | Lorna Fowler |
| 3 | Constitution Hill | Nicky Henderson |
| 4 | Fils D’oudairies | Gordon Elliott |
| 5 | First Street | Nicky Henderson |
| 6 | Guard Your Dreams | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 7 | Impaire Et Passe | Willie Mullins |
| 8 | Irish Point | Gordon Elliott |
| 9 | Nemean Lion | Kerry Lee |
| 10 | Not So Sleepy | Hughie Morrison |
| 11 | Pied Piper | Gordon Elliott |
| 12 | State Man | Willie Mullins |
| 13 | Vauban | Willie Mullins |
| 14 | Zanahiyr | Gordon Elliott |
| 15 | Zarak The Brave | Willie Mullins |
| 16 | Echoes In Rain | Willie Mullins |
| 17 | Gala Marceau | Willie Mullins |
| 18 | Lossiemouth | Willie Mullins |
| 19 | Love Envoi | Harry Fry |
| 20 | Luccia | Nicky Henderson |
| 21 | Under Control | Nicky Henderson |
| 22 | Burdett Road | James Owen |