In what is now edging ever closer to becoming a saga, the anticipated return of the most talented hurdler in training has hit another bump in the road. Having missed the bulk of 2023/24 through a combination of a respiratory issue and colic, the health troubles of Constitution Hill rumble on.
Superstar Lame Following Racecourse Gallop
It has now been 11 long months since the seven-time Grade 1 winner last competed on the racecourse, with his most recent appearance being a nine-and-a-half-length romp in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day 2023. That effort stretched his unbeaten run to eight as the Blue Bresil gelding threatened to sweep all before him en route to a second Champion Hurdle crown. Few could have foreseen what was to come.
Despite missing the entire second half of the 2023/24 campaign due to those respiratory and colic issues, hopes were high that the most famous name in the sport would return in 2024/25.
The journey back took a step in the right direction when Constitution Hill accompanied stablemate Sir Gino in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Tuesday. Many were disappointed to see the returning champ finish narrowly behind his workmate that day, but Nicky Henderson expressed his satisfaction with the outing.
However, perhaps it wasn’t a lack of fitness which produced the underwhelming gallop. It now appears that Constitution Hill continues to be short of full health. Taking to X on Friday afternoon, Nicky Henderson stated, “I’m afraid I have to report that we have a problem with Constitution Hill…He’s currently lame. This wasn’t immediately apparent after his gallop at Newbury on Tuesday, but for the last 48 hours, he has been sore. For what reason, we are still unaware.”
Betting Markets React
Constitution Hill lost his place at the head of the Champion Hurdle market to Lossiemouth following his subpar gallop. He now sits third in the betting for the opening day feature at the Cheltenham Festival – defending champ State Man having also moved ahead of him.
More immediately, it appears extremely unlikely that the star will bid to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle for a second time on 30th November. So unlikely in fact that most betting firms have removed Constitution Hill from the market entirely.
However, Henderson won’t need to look far to locate the new Fighting Fifth favourite. Stepping into the Constitution Hill-shaped hole at the head of the market is none other than Sir Gino.
Initially expected to head straight over fences on the back of his flawless novice hurdle campaign, the Mrs J Donnelly-owned star now looks set to fill the role of super sub for the £115,000 contest.
If Sir Gino builds on a novice season which included a 10-length slamming of recent Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and a Grade 1 success at Aintree, he may well be up to the task. The four-year-old has been installed as the general Even Money favourite for the race, with the Willie Mullins-trained Mystical Power expected to pose his biggest threat.
