Demands of Mares’ Hurdle will bring out best in Marie’s Rock

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is tremendously competitive, but it looks as though connections of Marie’s Rock have made the right decision to let her defend her crown

DEFENDING HER TITLE: Trainer Nicky Henderson and Marie's Rock during a visit to Nicky Henderson's stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn, Berkshire. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire

Constitution Hill is the star attraction on day one of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and Nicky Henderson’s horse can justify short odds in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Since making his track debut in a novice hurdle at Sandown in December 2021, he has rattled off five victories, with an aggregate winning distance of 77 lengths. To date, no horse has got to within 12 lengths of him and while that is a record he may struggle to maintain in light of Tuesday afternoon’s opposition, it is borderline impossible to look beyond him.