Road to Cheltenham 2026 Episode 5: How do you solve a problem like Constitution Hill?

| Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 16:14pm

Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 16:14pm

Strap in, folks - there's no shortage of topics for Matt Hulmes, Frankie Foster and Joel Ross to tackle in Episode 5 of Road to Cheltenham 2026.

The Constitution Hill fallout dominates the discussion, with some interesting suggestions as to what exactly is going wrong, and how to fix it.

Cheltenham 2026 Odds

Romeo Coolio @ 5/1 for the Arkle
Impose Toi @ 10/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle
Wendigo @ 16/1 for the Brown Advisory

*odds correct at time of publication

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

Could a change of scenery be the answer to Constitution Hill's problems?

That's the idea put forward by Joel Ross after Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old suffered a third fall in four starts in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last weekend.

Ross, who suggested Harry Derham or James Owen as potential recipients of the much-discussed superstar, said: "I'm all for switching stables. That's nothing against Hendo... I just think it's a change, isn't it? You've got to try something."

Henderson has ruled out retirement and a switch to chasing, but not a campaign on the flat. Could that be the next steps? A fascinating discussion.

The microscope is put on The New Lion, who made a similar mistake to Constitution Hill after almost running out a couple of hurdles prior. Was he beaten at the time, too? He's also got questions to answer now.

Responses were mixed to Matt's question about Sir Gino, who's been smashed in the betting for the Champion Hurdle after Henderson left the door open for him returning for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, as opposed to continuing over fences.

For what it's worth, if he returns - don't forget this is a horse that at the start of the year almost died - I suspect he'll return over the smaller obstacles and stay there. It's easier to keep him sound and it suits connections, who are in need of new blood in the division.

The new Stayers' Hurdle picture, after the ding-dong between Teahupoo and Ballyburn in the Hatton's Grace. Frankie thinks there's been an overreaction in the market, and I couldn't agree more.

Could Impose Toi, who beat Strong Leader in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, put it up to the aforementioned two at the top of the market? Lots to dissect there.

This week's Horse In Focus is Romeo Coolio, who made a serious impression in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse.

Frankie provides fascinating insight on the six-year-old Kayf Tara gathered from a recent visit to Gordon Elliott's yard in County Meath. Brown Advisory backers, beware. It sounds like he's unlikely to step up to three miles this season.

Finally, the lads put forward horses at 5/1, 8/1 and 10/1 they'd back for Cheltenham 2026 if given a free fiver.

Click the link for all the latest Horse Racing Odds

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights