Nicky Henderson has put an end to the speculation surrounding Constitution Hill’s participation in the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. The talented hurdler, who had previously been unbeaten over obstacles, faced uncertainty after a series of disappointing runs, including three falls in his last four hurdle races. Henderson recently tested Constitution Hill’s capabilities on the Flat for the first time, with a successful outing at Southwell over 1m4f in front of a sizeable crowd.
Despite the positive outcome at Southwell, Henderson expressed concerns about risking Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, acknowledging the potential backlash if something went wrong. Following discussions with owner Michael Buckley, Henderson revealed that a final decision would be made after a schooling session in Lambourn. However, it became evident that Constitution Hill’s odds for the Champion Hurdle were declining rapidly, leading to the eventual announcement that the horse would not compete at Cheltenham, signaling a shift towards a Flat racing focus.
In a statement, Henderson and Buckley shared their gratitude for the support and affection shown towards Constitution Hill, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision. Henderson emphasized the horse’s potential in a new career path and thanked supporters for their input, highlighting the mixed sentiments regarding the situation. Despite the disappointment of not seeing Constitution Hill defend his title, the team expressed optimism for the future and confirmed plans for the horse to parade at Cheltenham in honor of his National Hunt fans.
Constitution Hill’s remarkable career included victories in ten consecutive hurdle races, culminating in wins at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Champion Hurdle. After setbacks in recent years, including a fall at the previous year’s race, the decision to transition to Flat racing marks a new chapter for the celebrated horse.
