The clash we all hoped and prayed for is happening.
Lossiemouth will take on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle.
This race needs no introduction, so let’s get right into it with the runner-by-runner betting guide for the 2024 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.
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Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle runner by runner betting guide
Now it’s time to take a in-depth look into runners of the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
🏇 4 Lossiemouth
- Age: 5
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: /11-11
- Rating: 160
- Jockey: Paul Townend
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Odds: 1/1
This superstar mare has her eyes firmly set on the Champion Hurdle in March, and here she will face her biggest challenge to date as she squares up against the former Champion Hurdler, Constitution Hill.
But, she may well be up to the task.
She has been near faultless since joining Willie Mullins from France as a juvenile hurdler, only tasting defeat once, which she should have won.
Last season, Willie Mullins looked after her and gave her plenty of time to grow into herself from four to five after a busy juvenile season.
An effortless win on her comeback in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on trails day was followed by a ready win in the Grade 1 Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Then, the season finished with another easy win at the Punchestown Festival, sparking the Champion Hurdle talk.
Since her faultless displaces last season, Lossiemouth has been hailed as one of the favourites for the 2025 Champion Hurdle, and at Fairyhouse, she cemented her place at the top of the market.
A clash against two-time Hattons Grace Hurdle winner and the current Stayers Hurdle winner awaited her at Fairyhouse for her seasonal return.
Despite a shuttering mistake four out, she was quickly back on the bridle, eventually sauntering to victory.
That was the ‘WOW’ performance that shot her to the head of the Champion Hurdle market.
She has it all to win not only today but the Champion Hurdle as well.
She travels with ease, jumps well, and picks up when asked.
I know Constitution Hill is one of the best we have ever seen, but given the question marks about his well-being and the fact he has to concede seven pounds to Lossiemouth, any horse in training will struggle to give that weight to her.
For me, she wins.
✅ Top class mare
✅ Receives seven pounds from her rivals
✅ Tactically and ground versatile
✅ Improving with every run
❌ Can be keen
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️
🐎 Bet on Lossiemouth with talkSPORT BET 🐎
🏇 2 Constitution Hill
- Age: 7
- Weight: 11st 10lb
- Form: 111/1
- Rating: 175
- Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- Odds: 5/4
Many say that Constitution Hill is the best hurdler we have ever seen. Well, if he is, he will need to be right back to his brilliant best to repel the challenge of Lossiemouth.
There is no doubt that if he can get back to that level, he can win, but there have to be some reservations about what Constitution Hill we will see today.
We haven’t seen him since he won this last season, as he has been plagued by illness and setbacks.
Just as we thought he was making his comeback in the Fighting Fifth hurdle, we all saw what happened in his gallop at Newbury, where he couldn’t lay up with Sir Gino, and it eventually came out that he had yet another slight setback.
There are enough reasons to take him on today, the most significant being his well-being.
Constitution Hill has endured everything over the past 12 months, and you have to wonder what that has taken out of him.
I hope he shows that the engine is still there, but on his first run of the season, he has to be reluctantly opposed until he does show that he is back in full working order.
✅ Top class hurdler
✅ Unbeaten record
✅ Last season’s winner of this race
❌ Has not been seen since his win last season
❌ He has been plagued with setbacks all year
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
🐎 Bet on Constitution Hill with Sky Bet 🐎
🏇 1 Burdett Road
- Age: 4
- Weight: 11st 10lb
- Form: 112-1
- Rating: 142
- Jockey: Harry Cobden
- Trainer: James Owen
- Odds: 20/1
Once favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, Burdett Road got right back to form with a bang when winning the Greatwood Hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting, but this is a different ball game.
He is facing two genuine superstars of the game and will need to pull the best performance of his life to keep up the gallop and hold off Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill.
He will get a soft lead, but the issue is how long that lead will last.
There is every chance Burdett Road will bring them deep into the race, but he will fight for the third-place spot with Lump Sum, who has the Betfair Hurdle as his primary target.
✅ Will get an easy lead
✅ Improved performance last time out
❌ Needs a massive jolt of improvement
❌ Can flatten hurdles
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️
🐎 Bet on Burdett Road with Paddy Power 🐎
🏇 3 Lump Sum
- Age: 6
- Weight: 11st 10lb
- Form: 215-12
- Rating: 144
- Jockey: Dylan Johnson
- Trainer: Sam Thomas
- Odds: 25/1
Lump Sum made a bright start to the season when winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle (handicap) and ran as well as could be expected behind Sir Gino in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth.
Today is another jump in quality opposition today, and with thoughts firmly set on the Betfair Hurdle, they will not want to get too close to the Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill.
Lump Sum should run well for a way but will end up being well beaten.
✅ Improved this season
❌ Well beaten in a Grade 1 last time out
❌ Out of his depth
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️
🐎 Bet on Lump Sum with Midnite 🐎
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle Verdict
The first big clash of the Christmas racing festivals is a race where you are either in the Constitution Hill camp or the Lossiemouth camp.
I’m siding with LOSSIEMOUTH here to have too much for Constitution Hill on his first run of the season.
She has a lot going for her today and can take a lot of beating today.
Current Betting: Lossiemouth 1/1, Constitution Hill 5/2, Burdett Road 20/1, Lump Sum 25/1.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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