Talking to BoyleSports, Irish horse racing trainer Warren Ewing was bullish on the chances of Constitution Hill in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.
Ewing, who discovered Constitution Hill – the 8/13 favourite for the Champion Hurdle per the latest Cheltenham odds at BoyleSports – has declared that the hurdling superstar is unbeatable when healthy.
He also chatted to us about his previous successes finding star horses, one to watch this year heading to the Cheltenham Festival, his son Sam’s success as a jockey, Jack Kennedy’s chances of making the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham plus what it’s like running the family business.
Cheltenham Tips – I Don’t Think Anyone Can Stop Constitution Hill In Champion Hurdle
It was disappointing he had to miss last year after winning in 2023. He was my ace card going there!
Realistically he will win. I don’t think anyone can stop him if he turns up on his ‘A’ game. The faster race will suit him. He will be able to sit in behind Better Days Ahead and will have more speed. If he turns up healthy and well, I can’t see anything beating him. He is pretty unbeatable.
But I’ll be a wee bit divided because hopefully my son [Sam Ewing] will be riding Brighterdaysahead.
Sam had a great Christmas winning on Croke Park over Better Days Ahead. I was standing by the owners and couldn’t help but shout for Sam.
We Seem To Find A Star Horse Every Year
We do seem to pull out at least one good one a year.
Whinney Hill is one. Gordon bought him off me last year at the Cheltenham sale. He is in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival next month. I had a few there last year.
Better Days Ahead won the Martin Pipe for me, Bold Endeavour, he was also mine, and finished fourth in the big handicap hurdle. Git Maker with Jamie Snowden was second in the Kim Muir. Intense Approach won at Cheltenham in October for John McConnell. He’ll be going to the Festival this year too.
My Son Sam Is Flying as a Jockey – I’m Very Proud of Him
I’m very proud. Gordon has been very good to him. He was named as number two in the yard and when Jack got hurt, he got his opportunity. He’s taken it with both hands. He had five Grade 1 winners over Christmas. He is second in the jockey’s title race. He‘s had 50 winners.
Sam was always a very good rider. Him and Dylan Browne McMonagle, the best young Flat jockey in Ireland, were always pony racing each other, it was tit for tat every weekend. They both won about 180 races each and the two of them always stood out as being very good.
Sam has a will to win and balance. He is very strong too. He rode his claim out in a year on the Flat with Ger Lyons. You have to be a pretty good jockey to do that.
Then he got too heavy. He was always going to go jumping. I’d always been friendly with Gordon [Elliott] – we rode point to points together. He had been keeping an eye on Sam and asked me to send him down to him when he was old enough.
Jack Kennedy Won’t Make The Dublin Racing Festival & Is A Doubt For Cheltenham
He is getting physio. Sam and he are best friends. Jack is taking his time. I don’t know when he will be back. But when he does he’ll be back in his old job and Sam will have to play second fiddle again!
He definitely won’t be ready for Dublin and I’m not sure about Cheltenham. He has to take his time.
I Still Run the Family Fish Business With My Brother
I still run the family fish business with my brother! It’s busy. We do all the north of Ireland.
We make our own brand of smoked salmon. It goes to Harrods! We serve 300 restaurants a day. There is just about time in the day to do everything.
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