Unbridled: Paddy Brennan doubles down on ‘beatable’ Constitution Hill and reacts to Nico de Boinville call-out

Paddy Brennan has doubled down on his headline-making comments about Constitution Hill, insisting the Christmas Hurdle winner is “beatable”, and believes Nico de Boinville’s post-race reaction is good for the sport.

Speaking with Matt Chapman on Unbridled earlier this season, Brennan promised to take his co-host out for a ‘fancy dinner’ in London if Nicky Henderson’s star made a winning comeback at Kempton on Boxing Day.

After steering Constitution Hill to victory over Lossiemouth at Christmas, rider De Boinville jokingly told Brennan to “stick it where the sun don’t shine”.

The pair were later photographed together as Brennan congratulated De Boinville on a fine ride, but the former weighing-room favourite is adamant that Lossiemouth could still have her day in the sun.

“I was in trouble early at Kempton, it wasn’t good viewing for me,” Brennan said. “Lossiemouth jumped the first and I thought: ‘She’s in big trouble’. Maybe she couldn’t go that pace or maybe she just didn’t turn up.

“I don’t mind being wrong, I’ll be wrong again. I’m always going to have an opinion and sometimes they can be too loud and sometimes they’ll be wrong.

“What we’ve done in this instance is bring out a character. Who’s ever seen that side of Nico de Boinville before? Nobody. It’s boring at times.”

Asked by Chapman if he feels Constitution Hill is back to his best, Brennan said: “I think it’s the first time you could have watched him in a race and think he is beatable.

“I think Nico was unbelievable on him, he had a plan. Nico was always ready if the tank emptied but he didn’t give Constitution Hill a chance for his tank to empty.

“He was always aware of his position, jumped incredibly. There was one hurdle where he was bit too brave. You wouldn’t want to keep that up or he’ll be on the floor.

“About 10 strides before the last, where normally you’d be able to put the bit in his mouth and show him off, he soon bent down and squeezed him hard all the way to the line. That’s where I thought he was beatable.

“I couldn’t believe how close she [Lossiemouth] got, considering everything. What gives you hope if you’re Willie Mullins or Rich Ricci is she was only beat a few lengths and in a Champion Hurdle on slower ground maybe, I wouldn’t rule her out. I’d still be on her side.”

Chapman replied: “I completely disagree. Constitution Hill is unbeatable.

“He’s been flamboyant with his hurdling before, at the last flight in the Champion Hurdle, but his jumping is exceptional.”

Henderson also joined the panel on the phone for episode six and, perhaps surprisingly, sided with Brennan.

He said: “I agree with Paddy, nothing is unbeatable but Constitution is the one they’ve got to beat.”