Constitution Hill v Honeysuckle: 'This clash is what racing is all about'

This new season promises an abundance of riches, yet the thing most of us yearn to see more than anything is him against her, or her against him, depending on whether you favour Constitution Hill (him) or Honeysuckle (her).

If we’re being absolutely honest, and on the opening pages of The Big Jump Off there is room for nothing less, the Champion Hurdle has not been going through a golden era. Some marvellous horses have won the fabled race but there have not been enough marvellous horses running in it.

However, without wishing to tempt fate, we appear to be on the cusp of something special.