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'I don't think the gap is insurmountable - the Champion Hurdle dream is still alive'
Connections on their Cheltenham hopefuls
Key trainer quotes looking ahead to the Unibet Champion Hurdle at on March 11
Nicky Henderson, trainer of Constitution Hill and Sir Gino
Constitution Hill is in great form and we're happy with him, this is his target. The plan for Sir Gino is the Arkle and he'll have another run on the way. This is just a back-up for him, it's just common sense.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to Willie Mullins, trainer of Anzadam, Lossiemouth and State Man
Lossiemouth came home from Kempton very well and I don't think the gap between her and Constitution Hill is insurmountable. It will depend on how much improvement there is to come from Constitution Hill. The Champion Hurdle dream is still alive for her but it's just a bit hazier than it was before Christmas. State Man has come out of Leopardstown fine. He obviously wasn't himself. I'm looking forward to the third round and would like to see him having another go at Brighterdaysahead. That just wasn't him at Christmas. I don't think we should write him off at all just yet. Anzadam gave us all a pleasant surprise at Fairyhouse. He was hugely impressive. He was after having a few issues at home and he was quite a difficult ride in his work, too, so we hadn't been able to look under the bonnet before Fairyhouse. It was great to see him race so professionally that day and put in such an impressive performance. We still don't know how good he could be, but he ran to a mark in the low 150s at Fairyhouse, so he will have to find another 10lb or so to be competitive in the top, top races but hopefully he can find that.
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