More precisely close the first day's graded races with a bang.

That is when Constitution Hill runs in the Champion Hurdle Gr 1 for Henderson- de Boinville.  Of course he's odds-on and instead of trying to look for something to beat him why doesn't everyone just celebrate what a champion he is?  Of course horses can be beaten but that means in this case that something would have to go wrong as on paper he is in a different stratosphere.  The two nearest in the market are Brighterdaysahead on 7/4 for Elliott-Kennedy and State Man on 9/1 for Mullins-Walsh.

The afternoon starts off with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Gr with 12 runners headed by Kopek des Bordes on 10/11.  He's known to get a bit restless before the start so Mullins is putting a hood on him and Paul Townend will have the job to keep him settled.  Workahead is on 9/2 for deBromhead-Blackmore, Romeo Coolio 6/1 Elliott-Kennedy and our slightly rough roughie Salvator Mundi on 12/1 for Mullins-Patrick M.

The Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase is Gr 1 with only 5 runners headed by Majborough who won the Triumph last year.  This time the Mullins rider is Mark Walsh.  L'Eau du Sud seems promising and is on 4/1 for the Skeltons.

The Mares' Hurdle Gr 1 is all Lossiemouth to retain the crown.  She's on 2/3 for Mullins-Townend – 'nuff said.  Jade de Gruay is a stablemate with Danny Mullins riding and out sort of roughie is Kale Contin on 11/1 for Elliott-Kennedy.

The going is rated good to soft after rain fell on Monday.