Constitution Hill survives scare to win at Cheltenham

Constitution Hill has won 10 races in a row

Racing star Constitution Hill survived a blunder at the last flight to win at Cheltenham and take his unbeaten record to 10 wins from 10 races.

The 1-12 favourite, ridden by Nico de Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson, took the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials Day by three lengths from Brentford Hope.

"My heart was in my mouth at the last but he was just doing it so easily," said De Boinville.

Constitution Hill remains odds-on favourite to regain his Champion Hurdle crown back at Cheltenham in March.

"He has had a nice spin today and it has saved us a lot of galloping at home," said Henderson.

"We know where we are with him. He'll have a quiet week now and then we'll start the engines up again.

"If we can get to the Champion Hurdle in the sort of form we are in today, we'll go there with a big hope. We have four to five weeks to play with."

Meanwhile, L'Homme Presse narrowly beat Stage Star in a close finish in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

There was little between the pair following the last fence before jockey Charlie Deutsch guided the 4-5 favourite to victory against Stage Star, who was ridden by Harry Cobden.

Gentlemansgame was third of the six runners, in the last meeting at the course before the Cheltenham Festival.

"It means everything. Every time I get on him I get excited," Deutsch told ITV Racing.

"His jumping was so smooth. It turned into a bit of a race to the line, I didn't think we went that quick. He's pretty laid back and chilled which makes my job nice and easy.

"He was laid back all through the race and then I say, 'c'mon, now we've really got to go and try to put it to bed' and he's just got a lot more there than most horses, that's for sure."