Whateley Lee Mottershead | Senior writer for the Racing Post (24.02.26)
Feb 23, 2026
Lee Mottershead, senior Racing Post writer and British/Irish jumps specialist. He unpacks Constitution Hill’s hurdling brilliance and dominance. They discuss recent falls and an unexpected flat comeback. The conversation covers the rarity of a Melbourne Cup bid, public fascination with comebacks, media attention, and the big decision over the Champion Hurdle.
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Constitution Hill Is Hurdling Royalty
- Constitution Hill is probably the finest hurdler ever in Britain and Ireland, known for brilliance, flamboyance and pinpoint hurdling accuracy.
- Lee Mottershead links that status to his Champion Hurdle win three years ago and says that elevated him onto an unmatched pedestal.
From Champion Hurdler To Dramatic Comeback
- Constitution Hill fell in the Champion Hurdle last year, then again at Aintree and on seasonal reappearance, prompting doubts about his hurdling future.
- At nine he made a shock flat debut at Southwell and 'absolutely hosed up', reigniting talk of a Cheltenham return and flat targets.
Unusual But Not Unheard Of Move To The Cup
- Transitioning a champion hurdler to the Melbourne Cup is unusual but not unprecedented; previous hurdlers and chasers have run in the Cup.
- Lee emphasizes Constitution Hill would be far superior as a hurdler compared with those prior jump-to-flat converts, but age and inexperience complicate matters.