Paddy Brennan has doubled down on his headline comments on Constitution Hill, insisting the Christmas Hurdle winner is “beatable”, and believes Nico de Boinville's post-race reaction is good for the sport.
Speaking to Matt Chapman on Unbridled earlier this season, Brennan promised to take his co-host out for a 'posh dinner' in London if the Nicky Henderson star made a triumphant return to Kempton on Boxing Day.
After riding Constitution Hill to victory over Lossiemouth on Christmas Day, rider De Boinville jokingly told Brennan to “stick it where the sun don't shine”.
The pair were later photographed together as Brennan congratulated De Boinville on a good ride, but the former weigh-in favorite is adamant Lossiemouth could still have a day in the sun.
“I was in trouble early at Kempton, it wasn't good to watch,” Brennan said. “Lossiemouth jumped first and I thought, 'She's in big trouble'. Maybe she couldn't go at that pace or she just didn't turn up.
“I don't mind making mistakes, I will make mistakes again. I will always have my opinion and sometimes they can be too loud and sometimes they are wrong.
“What we've done in this case is show the character. Who's ever seen that side of Nico de Boinville before? Nobody. Sometimes it's boring.”
Nico de Boinville celebrates with the Kempton crowd after his success in the Constitution Hill Christmas steeplechase
Asked by Chapman if he thought Constitution Hill was back at his best, Brennan said: “I think it's the first time you could watch him in a race and think he was beatable.
“I think Nico was incredible with him, he had a plan. Nico was always ready if the tank was empty, but he didn't give Constitution Hill a chance to empty his tank.
“He was always aware of his position, he jumped amazingly. There was one obstacle where he was a little too bold. You wouldn't want to continue like that or he would be on the floor.
“About 10 paces before the last, where you might normally put a piece in his mouth and show it, he soon ducked down and gave it a good squeeze all the way to the line. That's where I thought it was possible to beat him.
Brennan believes Lossiemouth could turn the tables on Constitution Hill at Cheltenham
“I couldn't believe how close she (Lossiemouth) came, all things considered. What gives you hope if you're Willie Mullins or Rich Ricci is that she won by just a few lengths and in the Championship Hurdle on slower ground, maybe, I wouldn't rule it out I would still be on her side.
Chapman replied: “I strongly disagree. Constitution Hill is unbeatable.
“He's been brilliant with his hurdles before, last flight in the Champion Huddle, but his jumping is outstanding.”
Henderson also joined the panel on the phone for episode six and, perhaps surprisingly, took Brennan's side.
He said: “I agree with Paddy, nothing is invincible but the Constitution is what they have to defeat.”