Andy Gibson's Champion Hurdle review: Constitution Hill plus supporting cast

Horse racing analyst Andy Gibson examines the performance and prospects of Constitution Hill, as well as some of the also-rans who finished behind the impressive Champion Hurdle winner at Cheltenham.
Constitution Hill is simply and obviously a long way clear of the second-best two-mile hurdler either side of the Irish Sea.
His jockey endured a brief moment of doubt when he was particularly long at the last in similar fashion to Annie Power all those years ago.
Constitution Hill
Whether we see him again this season is open to debate given how lightly raced he has been in his two years as a hurdler.
Better to savour such a wonderful horse and an exceptional Champion Hurdle winner while we can.
State Man
At the moment he is the best of the Irish and by quite a margin, although maybe the connections of Marine Nationale will feel differently about that.
Zanahiyr
Often the best horse does not finish in the correct position, and I would guess there is something of that in the flattering third-place finish of Zanahiyr, who was simply the only rival to be given a pick-up-the-pieces type of ride.
Vauban
I Like To Move It
Consequently, it was on the cards that we would see him being allowed that freedom once again here.
I would not use this race as a guide to the quality of his Wincanton run, nor the merits of the runner-up on that occasion, Knappers Hill.