Daryl Jacob defends Nico de Boinville's riding after Constitution Hill's fall at Aintree

Retired jockey Daryl Jacob has opined that Constitution Hill is "second guessing" himself over hurdles. He made the assertion while defending Nico de Boinville's ride during the William Hill Aintree Hurdle on Thursday. The race saw Constitution Hill tumbling onto the track for a second consecutive time in a Grade One hurdle in three weeks.

Repeat of Cheltenham at Aintree for Constitution Hill

The Nicky Henderson-trained horse had suffered the same fate last month in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. While Constitution Hill crashed out of Aintree, Lossiemouth and her rider, Paul Townend, went on to win the hurdle race.

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Daryl Jacob defends de Boinville's ride on Constitution Hill

Speaking on the social media scrutiny faced by de Boinville's ride on Constitution Hill, Jacob said, "Nico had the position he wanted all the way around and he was in control of the race." He expressed the opinion that the race showed good tactical riding by Townend and jockey Danny Gilligan, whose horse Wodhooh emerged as the runner-up.

'Brilliant riding,' says Jacob Daryl

"When they came into the home straight it was brilliant riding from Paul Townend and Danny Gilligan to push him in the pocket so he had nowhere to go. He had to sit and suffer, it was great tactical riding," Jacob said while speaking on Racing Post's Good Morning Aintree. The 2018 Aintree Hurdle-winning former jockey strongly rejected the criticism thrown at de Boinville's way, saying "All the criticism of Nico is absolute bull."

Daryl Jacob's opinion on Constitution Hill

Jacob, while speaking on Constitution Hill's form, suggested that the mind of the ten-time winner was experiencing age-related changes. He said the horse was travelling well at Aintree. Jacob also suggested that perhaps Constitution Hill is second guessing himself while launching for hurdles. He said that he himself has ridden horses that were "on the edge like that".

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Here's what Henderson said about Constitution Hill's fall

On Thursday, while speaking about Constitution Hill's latest disappointing performance, Henderson had said that while the horse is "genuinely the best jumper" one could ever find, the two-in-a-row falls were definitely concerning. The trainer also said that Constitution Hill was "fantastic the whole way". After Thursday's incident, Henderson is likely to consider whether or not to bring Constitution Hill to Punchestown later this month for a final race of the season.

FAQs

1. Which horse won the William Hill Aintree Hurdle on Thursday?

The Grade 1 hurdle was won by Lossiemouth.

2 . Who was the runner-up at the William Hill Aintree Hurdle?
Wodhooh was the runner-up at the William Hill Aintree Hurdle held on Thursday.