Tag Archive for: Constitution Hill

All-important gallop set to determine whether Constitution Hill runs at Punchestown

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Constitution Hill faces a “crucial” gallop which will decide whether he runs at the Punchestown Festival on May 2 or not.

Nicky Henderson believes it will be easy to tell if the former champion hurdler – who enjoyed himself at the Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday – is in top shape after his falls at Cheltenham and Aintree.

“We had a parade of the old champs in the afternoon, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Coneygree and I actually took Constitution Hill with them,” said Henderson, speaking on Nick Luck’s daily podcast on Monday.

“We were just trying to say ‘go and have a day out, walk round for 10 minutes and come home without getting too battered’, which he has been the last twice. It was a mental game really, I can’t say it made any difference and he just walked round like he does.

“I think he enjoyed the day, he went out yesterday and again this morning, he’s fresh and we’ve got to start making decisions shortly.

“I’m thinking he’s got to have a school and then one piece of work. That piece of work will determine whether we do or we don’t (go to Punchestown), it’s very simple.

“Nico (de Boinville) will have one ride on him, one piece of work and that will tell us. If he’s 100 per cent he will go and if he is 98 (per cent) he won’t, but we’re thinking he’s good.

“I don’t think we need to rethink anything in the autumn, we just start again. There’s only so many things you can do, we’ve had lots of advice needless to say, but he seems very bright at this particular moment.

“That gallop is going to be crucial and everything hinges on that. I hope we’ll be able to (go), so fingers crossed.”

Meanwhile, Henderson could have a part to play in the Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins trainers’ title battle, with Jonbon a likely favourite in the £175,000 bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

“Paddy (Murphy) is very happy with Jonbon, he’ll jump a fence tomorrow which tells him a race is coming,” said Henderson.

“He’s got lost in the Mullins and Skelton thing, but Dan asks every day ‘how’s Jonbon’ as he could hold the key with all that prize-money, Dan is very keen on Jonbon!

“I think it’s great for the game, it’s given National Hunt racing a big kick at the end of the season. Both have got their fans and supporters and everybody is watching all these races, the novice hurdles worth five grand that Dan can win are becoming important.

“We don’t need to export everything, the UK budget has already been moved to Ireland! We’re all very good mates, but Dan deserves to have one.”

Constitution Hill ‘fresh as paint’, with sights set on Punchestown

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Constitution Hill remains on course for a trip to the Punchestown Festival, according to Nicky Henderson.

Now with questions to answer having fallen at both Cheltenham and Aintree, he has still to be beaten when completing and a clash with the likes of Lossiemouth, State Man, Birghterdaysahead and Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace is a mouthwatering prospect in the Boodles Champion Hurdle on May 2.

“It is our intention to come to Punchestown,” said Henderson, who is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure at the Kildare track.

“It was my original plan after Cheltenham and then, he was so well, I couldn’t say no to Aintree. Thankfully, I think he’s come out of that very well and we’ve got four weeks to Punchestown. It was only three weeks from Cheltenham to Aintree.

Jockey Nico de Boinville lies on the grass after Constitution Hill fell at Cheltenham
Jockey Nico de Boinville lies on the grass after Constitution Hill fell at Cheltenham (Peter Byrne/PA)

“And don’t forget, in neither race has he actually had a race. He is very fresh at the moment. He’s as fresh as paint here. He’s in terrific shape.

“It’s a long way to go and I can’t tell you anything else at the moment, but we think he’s in good nick and all being well, we will be in Punchestown. We are looking forward to going.”

Referring to the strength of the entries, Henderson went on: “It’s meant to be a great clash of two great horses – State Man and Constitution Hill – and they deserve to have a head-to-head. And we may have more if Lossiemouth, Golden Ace and Brighterdaysahead are there.

“I think everyone has been talking about State Man and Constitution Hill and want to find out what happens if they turn into the straight together. Wow! That’s what it’s all about. It would be fantastic. Everybody deserves it and we would love to have that in Punchestown.”

Sprinter Sacre and jockey Barry Geraghty received a memorable welcome a Punchestown
Sprinter Sacre and jockey Barry Geraghty received a memorable welcome a Punchestown (Julien Behal/PA)

One of Henderson’s great days in Ireland was when Sprinter Sacre completed a famous Cheltenham-Aintree-Punchestown hat-trick and the Seven Barrows trainer still looks back on that day fondly now.

“The day we brought Sprinter over will be in my memory forever because of the reception that the Punchestown and Irish crowd gave him,” he said.

“And I mean that. He was a French-bred horse, trained in England and the reception was incredible, before and after the race. It meant a lot to me.”

Jeremy Scott is under no illusions Golden Ace may have been a fortunate winner of the Champion Hurdle but she was in the right place to capitalise in an eventful race.

Golden Ace took full of advantage of State Man's fall at Cheltenham
Golden Ace took full of advantage of State Man’s fall at Cheltenham (Adam Davy/PA)

“She came out of Cheltenham very, very well,” Scott said. “I’m really happy with her and looking forward to coming over. We have never managed to have a winner at Punchestown – we’ve had several seconds – and we love the whole experience. It’s really good fun.

“We were probably a very lucky winner of the Champion Hurdle, so in terms of pressure, I’m not sure we’re feeling a huge amount because we achieved more than we were expecting to this season anyway. So this Punchestown trip is a bonus, if she runs well, and I hope she will.

“Also, it took away from the win a bit the fact that Constitution Hill and State Man both fell. If we’d finished an honourable second to State Man, you’d have nearly felt better in many ways. I loved winning the race, of course, but I’m not sure we proved anything. So it would be nice to come out and prove that maybe it wasn’t entirely luck.

“To be involved in a race of this nature, if everyone turns up, is a pleasure. That’s why we all train horses, isn’t it? Because we want to be able to compete at that level. I think that division is particularly strong at the moment as well, so it’s nice to be part of it.”

Constitution Hill none the worse for Aintree fall, says Henderson

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Constitution Hill emerged unscathed from his Aintree fall on Thursday – but trainer Nicky Henderson admits there are “issues” to address with his star performer.

The eight-year-old suffered a shock tumble when odds-on favourite for last month’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, bringing an unceremonious end to his 10-race unbeaten run, and he again came to grief at the penultimate flight in the Aintree Hurdle when seemingly still travelling with ease under Nico de Boinville.

While stablemate Jonbon put his Cheltenham disappointment behind him with victory in Friday’s Melling Chase, Constitution Hill could now try to get his career back on track at the Puchestown Festival on May 2, although his training team have work to do ahead of that target.

Constitution Hill running loose at Aintree after his fall
Constitution Hill running loose at Aintree after his fall (Mike Egerton/PA)

Henderson hailed De Boinville’s resilience in giving Jonbon a finely-judged ride and said: “That wasn’t a very easy day for any of us yesterday. We all feel that and I know he does, too.

“We have issues we’ve got to sort out with Constitution Hill, but he and I will work that one out. For him to come back and give a horse a ride like that today, that’s a great man.

“That (Punchestown) would be our intention. He’s back at home in Seven Barrows in his box and he was sound this morning.”

Henderson feels Constitution Hill remains unperturbed by his recent jumping blunders, adding: “Unlike Jonbon, he’s a very laid-back horse and it (the fall) certainly won’t worry him.

“If he’s OK, he’ll certainly go to Punchestown.”

Constitution Hill set for Punchestown redemption opportunity

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Nicky Henderson remains keen on the idea of the Punchestown Festival with Constitution Hill, despite the superstar eight-year-old suffering a second successive fall, this time in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

The Michael Buckley-owned gelding has had to endure his fair share of bumps in the road over the past couple of seasons, but all appeared to be back on track following his successful defence of Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle after a year off the track.

However, a heart-stopping final flight error on Cheltenham Trials day in January proved an ominous warning that was ultimately not heeded by Henderson’s pride and joy, as for the first time in his career, his exuberance got the better of him when bidding to regain the Champion Hurdle last month, as he crashed out four flights from home.

Having reportedly undergone intensive schooling since, hopes were high he would confine that blip to the history books on Merseyside – but while his jumping was assured for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest, he took off too far from the second-last obstacle and both he and Nico de Boinville once again ended up on the turf.

Constitution Hill and his regular rider returned unscathed, but for the second time in little over three weeks his trainer was left with more questions than answers.

“It is hard to take, of course it is – I feel desperate for Michael and everybody really,” said Henderson.

“You could look at it another way, no horse has beaten him still! Somebody one day might do that, at the moment nobody can, except for a hurdle.”

From appearing well positioned in the back straight, Constitution Hill found himself caught in a pocket rounding the home turn as Paul Townend, riding his biggest rival and the ultimate winner Lossiemouth, made a telling move on his outside to seize the advantage.

When asked what he made of De Boinville’s ride, Henderson said: “I’m not going to be critical, I wouldn’t be, and I don’t think there was anything wrong with it. Nico said the horse was travelling, everything was right and he was quite happy to have Lossiemouth in front of him – he thought he’d beat her from there.

“He just stepped at the hurdle and that’s what he’s done before – it’s a repetition. Why he has suddenly got this into his vocabulary I do not know, and how you get it out of his vocabulary I do not know – I might take him to Specsavers in the morning!

“If his confidence was gone, he wouldn’t do it. To do that, it’s enthusiasm, he’s brilliant and he still is brilliant at it, but unfortunately he gets too complacent about it.”

Since Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle tumble, Henderson has boldly stated his intention to take in both Aintree and a first trip to Ireland for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on May 2. And he is keen to stick to the plan despite another deflating afternoon.

“I couldn’t see much of the race today from where we were standing and I’ll watch it again obviously and we’ll take it to bits, but I don’t know what we’re going to learn from it. It’s brutal, but the only thing that’s important is they’re both in one piece – that’s all that matters,” he added.

“Now we’ve got to go forward and think what we do. If he’s OK tomorrow, I personally would think, in every way, we’ll go to Punchestown. He’s got to be 100 per cent and Michael has got to be with us.”

Lossiemouth takes full advantage, as Constitution Hill falls again

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Lossiemouth swept home to win the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, as Constitution Hill left onlookers stunned again with another fall.

Nicky Henderson’s superstar was the even-money favourite to put his shock Champion Hurdle spill from Cheltenham firmly behind him, and after a smooth passage through the early stages he looked on track to do so.

Nico de Boinville had found himself boxed in approaching the penultimate flight, however, where both horse and rider hit the floor, as Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth powered to the lead to score at 5-4 under Paul Townend from Wodhooh.

Constitution Hill and jockey Nico de Boinville fall during the William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Constitution Hill and jockey Nico de Boinville fall during the William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Peter Byrne/PA)

A gracious Mullins said: “I was disappointed for Michael (Buckley, owner), Nicky and Nico and the connections of Constitution Hill – and for racing.

“We came here knowing our mare was in good shape and we thought the (two-and-a-half-mile) trip would suit us this time (rather than two miles at Kempton), but we never got to find out.

“When Paul made his move it has eventually paid off, but I was wondering had he done it too soon.

“Nico has a great habit of looking like he is under pressure and then finding another bit in the last furlong. A couple of times we’ve thought we had Nico beat and he’s actually got a little bit up his sleeve, so I did wonder if Paul had played his cards too early, but it was gifted to him so what could he do.”

Paul Townend aboard Lossiemouth celebrates
Paul Townend aboard Lossiemouth celebrates (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

He added: “I’d imagine we’ll go to Punchestown now as long as she comes out of this all right, that’s our normal plan.

“I’m not getting into if she runs in the Champion or Mares’ though! State Man will be going for the Champion so we’ll probably keep them apart.”

Henderson, meanwhile, was left with a distinct case of deja vu as he tried to make sense of what he had witnessed.

“It is heartbreaking and to do it twice, you couldn’t believe it really,” said the Seven Barrows trainer.

“He is genuinely the best jumper you’ll ever see. But in that vocabulary there is just what you would have called a one per cent chance of doing what he’s done, but he’s done it twice, which does worry you, of course it does. But how can you iron it out?

Constitution Hill ran loose but was unscathed following his fall
Constitution Hill ran loose but was unscathed following his fall (Mike Egerton/PA)

“As Nico said, he’d been fantastic the whole way. At a couple of hurdles he went in short and that’s what we’ve been trying to get him to do, but when you’re going to three out and racing like that you can’t afford to do that, you’ve got to go, and Nico said he just came up too soon.

“Nico said he was full of running and his words to me were that he actually had Lossiemouth where he wanted her. He was happy with her in front rather than behind.”

On whether Constitution Hill might run again this season, Henderson said: “We started to discuss it (Punchestown) just then. Funnily enough after Cheltenham I said to Nico we’d go to Punchestown and not here and he said ‘good, those hurdles will suit him better’.”

Joe Chambers, racing manager to winning owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, told Racing TV: “It’s a shame about Constitution Hill, that’s twice it has happened to them and we know all about fallers – we lost Willy De Houelle sadly, another great young horse, in the first race and thankfully Rachael (Blackmore) is OK.

“It’s an amazing game, we were on our backside an hour and a half ago and now here we are with two Grade One winners at Aintree and in the sunshine, it’s absolutely magic to be honest with you.”

Constitution Hill unperturbed after shock fall and out for Aintree redemption

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Constitution Hill arguably has a point to prove when he lines up for the William Hill Aintree Hurdle on Thursday.

National Hunt racing’s poster boy met with defeat for the first time at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, when attempting to regain the Champion Hurdle crown he had relinquished last season when on the sidelines.

Back in action this term, he looked to have retained all of his brilliance when defying a 366-day absence in the Christmas Hurdle, with Lossiemouth two and a half lengths behind him.

Having originally said he would more than likely go straight to the Champion Hurdle after Kempton, Nicky Henderson elected instead to go first for the Unibet Hurdle in January, where he almost came down at the last before winning with his head in his chest.

The Cheltenham crowd reacts to Constitution Hill's fall
The Cheltenham crowd reacts to Constitution Hill’s fall (David Davies/PA)

Constitution Hill did not heed that warning, however, and came crashing down in a Champion Hurdle that had to be seen to be believed.

“We’re very happy, any day you get to run him is exciting, the fall hasn’t worried him, nothing does really,” said Henderson, who is also hoping to take Constitution Hill to Punchestown next month.

“All has gone well with him since Cheltenham so here we go, but obviously it’s different coming in off the back of him falling.

“We’ve done plenty of jumping, but not schooling, more over poles and such. It’s a case of getting him to pay more attention.

“There’s no Brighterdaysahead, but there’s still a very good mare in there in the shape of Lossiemouth, and plenty of others.”

Lossiemouth was in a class of her own in the Mares' Hurdle
Lossiemouth was in a class of her own in the Mares’ Hurdle (Adam Davy/PA)

Lossiemouth was rerouted from the Champion to the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as Willie Mullins could not see her beating her stablemate State Man, and he may well have been right as the reigning champion added to the drama when falling at the last with the race at his mercy.

Lossiemouth could hardly have been more impressive in successfully defending her crown in the Mares’ Hurdle, however, and belatedly gets the chance to take on the boys on Merseyside.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “All is good with her. Obviously it is a big step up from the Mares’ Hurdle to trying to beat Constitution Hill.

“We’re hoping the extra half-mile can close the gap from Kempton, but then Constitution Hill hadn’t run in a year when he ran in Kempton and has a couple of runs under his belt now.

“I think it’s going to be difficult for her. I think if Constitution Hill is unperturbed from his fall it’s going to be very hard for Lossiemouth, but it will be very interesting to see.”

Mullins was on board runner-up Sharjah when Constitution Hill won the 2023 Aintree Hurdle by three lengths, giving some hope to the Closutton yard in taking him on over this longer trip.

“Lossiemouth and Sharjah are the two horses that have got closest to him and one of those times was in the Aintree Hurdle. We’re going to roll the dice and see, but we’re going in hope rather than expectation,” Mullins added.

Having decided against saddling his star mare Brighterdaysahead, Gordon Elliott instead relies on Wodhooh, who stretched her unbeaten record to seven in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but is rated some 23lb inferior to Constitution Hill before her 7lb allowance.

Take No Chances (Dan Skelton), Tellherthename (Jonjo and AJ O’Neill) and Break My Soul (Ian Donoghue) all have a mountain to climb on official figures, too.

Big two poised for Aintree Hurdle rematch

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Constitution Hill will clash with Cheltenham Festival heroine Lossiemouth in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle on Thursday.

Nicky Henderson’s star performer is set to face six rivals on Merseyside and the standout name amongst the opposition is Willie Mullins’ triple Festival winner, who impressed once again at Prestbury Park when successfully defending her Mares’ Hurdle crown just over three weeks ago.

It will be the second time the duo have locked horns, with Constitution Hill coming out on top during his brilliant comeback victory in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, but for the first time in his career he perhaps has a question to answer having fallen in the Champion Hurdle.

After deciding against running Brighterdaysahead, Gordon Elliott relies on another high-class mare in Wodhooh, who stretched her unbeaten record to seven in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Salver (Gary and Josh Moore), Tellherthename (Jonjo and AJ O’Neill), Break My Soul (Ian Donoghue) and Take No Chances (Dan Skelton) complete the line-up.

Seven Barrows inmate and Arkle hero Jango Baie features in a nine-strong field for the opening EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase, with last year’s Aintree Hurdle winner Impaire Et Passe (Mullins), Croke Park (Elliott) and Gidleigh Park (Harry Fry) all taking him on.

Lulamba does not run at Aintree on Thursday
Lulamba does not run at Aintree on Thursday (Steven Paston/PA)

Thirteen four-year-olds have been declared for the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, but Henderson’s Lulamba is a notable absentee. The Triumph Hurdle runner-up does have the option of stepping up his trip against the elders in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday, however.

In his absence on day one of the Grand National Festival, Skelton’s Live Conti and Joseph O’Brien’s Fred Winter winner Puturhandstogether are two of the leading contenders for Grade One honours.

A star-studded field of eight have assembled for the other Grade One on the card, the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl, where Mullins’ Gaelic Warrior will step up in trip to three miles to take on the likes of fellow Irish raider, the Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower, and Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning.

Ahoy Senor is at his best at Aintree
Ahoy Senor is at his best at Aintree (Tim Goode/PA)

Lucinda Russell is represented by Ahoy Senor, who is standing dish at this meeting having won novice Grade Ones over hurdles and fences before finishing second in the last two editions of the Bowl behind Shishkin and Gerri Colombe respectively.

The Scottish raider fell in the Cheltenham Gold Cup ahead of his return to Merseyside, while Patrick Wadge takes over in the saddle from sidelined stable jockey Derek Fox.

Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant, said: “He’s got a good record round Aintree and he looked to be going well in the Gold Cup until he fell, so we travel with hope I think.

“I’m sorry for Derek as he has done a lot of the work on him, but that’s life as a jockey and Patrick has sat there as second jockey and gets his chance now. Every time he has had a chance he’s taken it and he’s done so well – we’re just lucky to have jockeys like Patrick and Derek to call upon.”

Constitution Hill headlines potential Aintree Hurdle cast

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A blockbuster clash could be in store on the opening day of the Grand National meeting, with Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead all entered for the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

The two-and-a-half-mile Grade One was won in 2023 by Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill, who will this year be on a recovery mission after dramatically falling in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Henderson posted on X: “We had a very good morning today as far as Constitution Hill is concerned, Michael Buckley (owner) was with us to see him gallop and Nico (de Boinville) rode him before going on to Wetherby.

The Cheltenham crowd reacts to Constitution Hill's fall in the Champion Hurdle
The Cheltenham crowd reacts to Constitution Hill’s fall in the Champion Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

“All three of us were thrilled with what we saw and he seemed to be telling us that we have the green light for Aintree on Thursday.

“He has done a huge amount of schooling in the last week, some of it loose with Marcus Foley who has always helped us in the jumping department when it needs action and Nico was particularly pleased when he jumped 10 hurdles yesterday. As we have said, his work this morning was excellent and we look forward to Thursday.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead failed to fire in the two-mile championship at the Festival, having previously produced a devastating performance at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Lossiemouth, meanwhile, was kept to her own sex at Cheltenham by Willie Mullins, winning the Mares’ Hurdle with ease for the second year running, which left many to wonder how she would have fared in the main event.

Jango Baie (right) flew home to win the Arkle
Jango Baie (right) flew home to win the Arkle (Adam Davy/PA)

Another Grade One starts the three-day fixture, the EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase, which could potentially see Henderson’s Arkle winner Jango Baie step back up in trip.

Henderson added: “Jango Baie will be working tomorrow (Saturday), along with Jonbon, ahead of their Aintree objectives and at the moment we are favouring the two-mile-three novice chase on Thursday.”

The horse who beat Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, Ben Pauling’s Handstands, lies in wait, as do a host of Irish contenders such as Impaire Et Passe, Dancing City and Quai De Bourbon.

Paul Nicholls’ Rubaud, the Nicky Richards-trained The Kalooki Kid and Gidleigh Park for Harry Fry are also among 16 entries.

Lulamba (left) was just touched off in the Triumph
Lulamba (left) was just touched off in the Triumph (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle sees Henderson’s Lulamba, narrowly denied by 100-1 shot Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle, have the chance for Grade One compensation.

“Lulamba appears to have come out of his heroic Cheltenham effort in really good order and he too did everything we could have asked for this morning and he is set for the two-mile juvenile hurdle on Thursday,” said Henderson.

Lady Vega Allen, Live Conti and Hello Neighbour also feature in the 18 possibles.

Further Grade One action takes place in the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase, with Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning and Protektorat standing tall.

Mullins has entered Gaelic Warrior, who skipped Cheltenham, as well as Blue Lord and Embassy Gardens while Spillane’s Tower could run for Jimmy Mangan with 12 entered.

Surprise Aintree Hurdle run looks to be on the cards for Constitution Hill

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Nicky Henderson has raised the William Hill Aintree Hurdle as a serious consideration for Constitution Hill.

It had been thought the superstar hurdler, who lost his unbeaten record when falling in an incident-packed Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, would be seen next at the Punchestown Festival.

However, Henderson said in an update on his Unibet blog on Saturday: “After a long chat with Michael Buckley (owner) and Nico (de Boinville), we have come to the conclusion that it is likely that we will consider running Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle in two weeks’ time.

Racegoers react after Constitution Hill falls in the Champion Hurdle
Racegoers react after Constitution Hill falls in the Champion Hurdle (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“He has come out of the Champion Hurdle in very good form so it is something we are certainly looking at.

“We haven’t schooled him yet, but that will happen next week, and we’ll keep everyone updated as and when we need to.”

The eight-year-old is a former winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Aintree Hurdle, picking up the Grade One prize in 2023.

Expanding on his thoughts on Sky Sports Racing, Henderson said: “We seriously think we should have a look at it and he hasn’t had a race (at Cheltenham), he was just tanking away when he fell and he cantered home on his own. I don’t think we can let a race like this go slip-sliding away.

“Now we know what the gap is between there (April 3) and Punchestown (May 2) and at the moment we would have every intention of going (to Ireland as well). I have to say it’s not a plan, it’s an idea, it’s not cast in stone and I can’t say it is because if anything changes our mind we must have the right to change. But at the moment I would very optimistically be looking at both.

Nicky Henderson has plenty to think about with Constitution Hill
Nicky Henderson has plenty to think about with Constitution Hill (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“Originally after the Christmas Hurdle we were going to go straight to Cheltenham and then we surprised everyone a little bit by coming into the Unibet Hurdle on Trials day which was grand, he had a lovely easy time there. He didn’t have a hard race in the Champion Hurdle for obvious reasons and there is no reason he shouldn’t come again.

“He’s just taking everything so much better these days than he used to and he’s older, but sadly he might not be getting any wiser as he’s started slipping in these mistakes. I just hope everyone just doesn’t start branding him a bad jumper just because he’s made one mistake and then had a fall.

“He’s got some schooling to come in the meantime and he will then need to have one gallop at the end of next week. That would be the tell-all and Nico would be riding him and if he’s happy – and he knows him so well – then he could go to Aintree.”

Many considered Constitution Hill’s previous visit to Aintree as one of the least impressive from his catalogue of showreel displays, with Henderson admitting they may need to curtail some of his stable star’s enthusiasm over the extended trip.

He added: “I have to say that wasn’t his most impressive day at Aintree and I think he was always tanking a little bit and I think Nico would like to quieten things down as much as he can do early on, which might be easier said than done.

“The ground would be an issue if it gets quick and we know Aintree will be doing everything they can – they were putting water on this week and I can see why.

“However soft it gets no (that wouldn’t be a problem), but if the words ‘good to firm’ appear then of course we would be worried. Hopefully I can’t see that happening and we are in England not Australia, it will rain again.”

Constitution Hill looks set to be joined at Aintree by Champion Chase runner-up Jonbon, who is on course to defend his Melling Chase title, with the Seven Barrows handler also pondering an outing for star four-year-old Lulamba.

Henderson sets sights on Aintree with Jonbon

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Nicky Henderson expects to run Jonbon next at Aintree after his Festival defeat.

The nine-year-old was one of four odds-on big-race favourites beaten at Cheltenham, in his case the Queen Mother Champion Chase, although he ran a gallant race in taking second after problems at the start and a juddering mistake at the fifth-last.

The My Pension Expert Melling Chase over two and a half miles on April 4 will now be his port of call at the Grand National meeting.

“It wasn’t so much the mistake itself going down the back, it was the start and that really got us into the wrong position from the word go,” said the Seven Barrows handler.

“That was frustrating, to be honest with you, but there you go. He got behind early on and he just loves to be up there attacking and he just couldn’t get there from where he was.

“He’s fine, he’s got to go again and I think he would go to Aintree. Two and a half miles certainly isn’t a worry. I’d have thought that’s where we’d go, and he loves Sandown.

“I suppose everyone will go back to ‘he doesn’t like Cheltenham’. It’s got nothing to do with it, he’s perfectly happy around Cheltenham, he just doesn’t get any luck there.

“A bit further wouldn’t hurt him, so we’ve got that to come at Aintree.”

On the opening day of Cheltenham, Henderson had endured defeat for his other stable star, Constitution Hill, who left Prestbury Park in shock when he crashed out in the Champion Hurdle.

A trip to Punchestown on May 2 remains on the table for him.

Henderson told Racing TV: “He’s going to have to just go back to school for a moment, but that’s not a problem. We’ll do that and think about what we do next. He’ll run again, where we’ll go I’m not quite sure, but I’d have thought Punchestown is most likely.

“It’s the most obvious thing to do, the one thing you have to be careful of in May is the ground is the worry, but I’m sure they’ll do a good job there. I’d have thought all going well that will be the plan.”

Henderson firmly set on Irish raid with Constitution Hill

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Nicky Henderson remains keen to head to the Punchestown Festival with Constitution Hill after reporting his stable star to be none the worse following his dramatic fall in Tuesday’s Unibet Champion Hurdle.

The eight-year-old was a red-hot favourite to regain his title in the Cheltenham Festival’s opening day feature, but crashed out at the fifth obstacle in the hands of Nico de Boinville.

Constitution Hill galloped on riderless and was described as “bright and breezy” in the immediate aftermath by his trainer, who provided a further update on Wednesday.

Henderson said: “He was fine this morning and ate up fine. There was a close-up of him galloping up the hill and jumping the last yesterday and he was heading for Lambourn!

“The idea would be to go to Punchestown, it has to be – it’s the obvious race to go for.”

If Constitution Hill does line up in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on May 2, he could well renew rivalry with the Willie Mullins-trained State Man.

The chestnut has landed the Grade One in each of the past two seasons and following Constitution Hill’s shock exit, he looked set to successfully defend his Champion Hurdle crown until he too took a tumble at the final obstacle.

State Man as Golden Ace goes on to win the Champion Hurdle
Paul Townend falls from State Man as Golden Ace goes on to win the Champion Hurdle (Adam Davy/PA)

Despite being “sore”, State Man was deemed fit enough to return to Ireland on Tuesday night and Mullins does not expect him to be out of action for too long.

He said: “State Man is fine. He’s got a sore shoulder, but he’s been out in the paddock all day at home. He’s a little bit sore and he’ll be like that for a few days, but hopefully that’s all that’s wrong – a bit of bruising. He appears fine from all accounts.

“That is what we think (he can run again this spring). You’d think he’ll be all right in a week, but you never know, in a week’s time he could still be sore.

“He’s been checked by three vets here and our own vet at home and they’re all happy that it’s just bruising, so we’ll see.”

The big disappointment of those that completed the Champion Hurdle was Gordon Elliott’s mare Brighterdaysahead, who finished a weary fourth.

Elliott said on Wednesday: “She’s a bit stiff and sore behind, but basically she is OK.”

Henderson and Mullins left to reflect in disbelief at Champion Hurdle drama

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Just when you think you have seen it all, the 2025 Unibet Champion Hurdle threw the cruellest of spanners in the works, with the last two winners of the Cheltenham Festival’s opening day feature – Constitution Hill and State Man – suffering unexpected falls.

The majority of those in attendance at Prestbury Park were willing on Nicky Henderson’s former champion Constitution Hill, who was the well-backed 1-2 favourite to become only the third horse to regain the crown and extend his unbeaten record to 11.

However, having travelled with his customary enthusiasm and let fly at a couple of early obstacles, the eight-year-old ultimately paid the price at the fifth, with the packed grandstands letting out a collective gasp as he and Nico de Boinville crashed to the ground.

Thankfully, Constitution Hill was soon back on his feet and continued before being caught and returned to the unsaddling enclosure.

When asked how he could sum up what had happened, Henderson said: “You think of the first word that comes into your head and it would probably be the same as mine. I don’t know, what can you say?

“He seems fine, he’s very bright and breezy. He hasn’t had a race, obviously, and we’ll just have to think of a plan.

“We thought we had him right, he’s been in terrific form, but there you go – it happens. Poor old State Man as well, you couldn’t believe those two silly old fools have gone and done what they’ve done today.”

Henderson has won the Champion Hurdle more than anyone, with nine previous victories, and knows there is no margin for error in the jumping department when the heat is on.

He added: “When you’re jumping as fast as they jump, you’ve got to get it deadly accurate. You’d like to see the replay of it, but it doesn’t really matter what he did. I can’t take it out of his vocabulary, they will do these silly things.

“Somebody said the hurdle swung back into him. He was having a lovely time and he’s run two miles even if he didn’t have Nico on his back and he’s come back in here very fresh.

“It’s tough, but we have to live with it. We know what we’re playing with and that’s the game – you have to take these things. It’s just typical it’s on a day like this.

“So now what do we do? I know what we’ll do, surely there’ll be a rather fun day in Punchestown now.”

With Henderson’s ace gone and Gordon Elliott’s well-fancied mare Brighterdaysahead seemingly a spent force from the home turn, the stage looked set for last year’s winner State Man – no match for Constitution Hill in 2023 – to successfully defend his crown.

The chestnut was home for all money under Paul Townend when he took off too far from the last hurdle.

“State Man had the race in the bag and I can’t say we would have won, that would be stupid,” Henderson went on.

“But everything was going great and it is cruel as we waited two years to get him back here.”

Constitution Hill’s owner Michael Buckley was similarly despondent. After giving his pride and joy a consolatory carrot, he said: “It’s a crock of s***, that’s what it is. I’m sorry, I sound like Donald Trump, but I can’t think of a better way to describe it.

“It is pretty painful to be honest. It makes you want to cry, but I’m trying not to.”

State Man’s trainer Willie Mullins was magnanimous in defeat, after scenes reminiscent of Annie Power in the 2015 Mares’ Hurdle.

He said: “He’s a little bit sore and got a bang on the head I think when he was getting up, but he cantered away and trotted up sound, so we’re happy enough with him. The vets have examined him and they’ve said he’s fine to travel home this evening – that’s good news.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s racing and that’s what makes winning over here so hard, you never know when something like that is going to happen.

“You’ve really got to choose the right horse for any race here and you make plenty of plans, but you couldn’t have imagined that – two Champion Hurdle winners falling.

“The only thing stranger would have been if Lossiemouth was in there, she would probably have been brought down! You never know what’s going to happen and that’s why bookmakers drive bigger cars than us.”

Brighterdaysahead at Cheltenham
Brighterdaysahead at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Gordon Elliott was left struggling to explain the performance of Brighterdaysahead, who passed the post a tired fourth.

“To be honest with you she was well beaten even with nearly getting brought down at the last,” said the Cullentra House handler.

“Jack (Kennedy) said when he asked her she never picked up at all and she normally picks up. Jack said she whinnied crossing the line, so that would be a worry and we’ll have to get her checked out and see how she is. She was very distressed.

“You couldn’t say they went too fast, but we’ll get her checked out and see how she is.

“I’m not sure you could say it’s a Cheltenham thing, as she just didn’t finish her race. Last year she finished her race, but today she was walking going to the last and she didn’t run her race.”

Henderson backing Constitution Hill to make Champion point

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Nicky Henderson is pleased it is time for the talking to stop and the action to unfold as Constitution Hill looks to silence any remaining doubters by regaining his crown in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

The Seven Barrows superstar looked unbeatable when winning the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 22 lengths and was similarly dominant when dismissing State Man by nine in the Champion Hurdle the following year.

There have been a few bumps in the road since, with a lung infection ruling him out of a Festival defence 12 months ago, but he has returned this winter with further triumphs in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials day in January to extend his unblemished record to 10.

Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill
Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill (Adam Davy/PA)

Some still question whether Nico de Boinville’s mount can possibly as good as he was a couple of seasons ago, but Henderson’s faith is unshakeable.

“He’s done everything right and, touch wood, we have had a relatively uncomplicated prep and here we go. We’re nearly at the time where it’s in his and Nico’s hands and what will be will be,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough because the Irish are going to take us on all week and they’re not coming for the fun of it.

“I’m pretty happy he is the same as what he always was, I know some people don’t think he is but I don’t see why. Everyone is happy and his schooling the other day was brilliant.”

Constitution Hill was a 1-12 favourite for his latest visit to Cheltenham in late January and duly obliged, although he gave his many supporters a heart-stopping moment at the final flight.

Henderson admitted he was feeling the nerves heading to Prestbury Park that day, adding: “I wasn’t that fussed at Kempton to be honest with you because I thought he could get beaten, but from my point of view I hated Cheltenham the other day – jeepers creepers, that absolutely killed me!

“It was sort of a no-win situation because he had to be very good, which he was, although he kept everyone on their toes by trying to destroy a hurdle!

“It does put the pressure on us a little bit, but he was great and certainly enjoyed himself.”

The eight-year-old enjoyed a hero’s welcome on his return to the winner’s enclosure in January and there are likely to be even greater scenes if he can become only the third horse to regain the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday after Comedy Of Errors and Hurricane Fly.

Constitution Hill and Nico de Boinville at the Cheltenham Festival
Constitution Hill and Nico de Boinville at the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

Henderson said: “He got a great reception after the Unibet Hurdle, which shows National Hunt racing in a great light and to be fair, the crowd at Kempton was fantastic as well. I think they were pleased to see him back, weren’t we all?

“At Cheltenham, the last time I saw that sort of crowd was in Sprinter Sacre’s day and that is a very, very special thing.

“It’s great for National Hunt racing, people do love these horses, and it just shows that while a five-runner race with a 1-12 shot for some people is a tragedy, for most people it was something fantastic.”

Lossiemouth sidesteps Constitution Hill Champion Hurdle clash

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Constitution Hill will face six rivals in the Unibet Champion Hurdle after Lossiemouth was rerouted to the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Willie Mullins will rely on defending champion State Man and rank outsider Winter Fog.

Gordon Elliott’s star mare Brighterdaysahead will go up against the boys and be accompanied by stablemate King Of Kingsfield, who acted as a pacemaker for her spectacular Neville Hotels Hurdle success at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The Jeremy Scott-trained Golden Ace beat Brighterdaysahead in last year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and will renew that rivalry.

James Owen’s two-time course winner Burdett Road completes the line-up.

Brighterdaysahead clash will show Constitution Hill at his best, says Buckley

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Owner Michael Buckley has welcomed the presence of Brighterdaysahead and is confident Constitution Hill will silence the doubters when he bids to regain his crown in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

So brilliant in the Festival’s opening day feature in 2023, he looked set to dominate the division for years to come but was unable to defend his title 12 months ago after a bitterly disappointing public gallop at Kempton, which was put down to a lung infection, and a subsequent bout of colic, ended his season.

Plenty wondered whether Nicky Henderson’s charge would ever return, but he was back with a bang when landing his second Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and bar a heart-stopping error at the final flight, his most recent triumph in the Unibet Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials day was as straightforward as it gets.

Despite the fact Constitution Hill is now unbeaten in 10 starts, some have questioned whether he can still be at the peak of his powers. Buckley, though, has come out fighting.

“I’m nervous like I always am, (but) I’m looking forward to it in many ways,” he told Sky Sports Racing on Friday.

“I think the horse, so long as he’s in the shape on Tuesday that he is now, he’s got a great chance, but inevitably I’m nervous, particularly after what happened last year.

“This year I think the horse is in great form, Nicky’s delighted with him and, more importantly, I went down a couple of days ago to see him do his last school and the horse thinks he’s in great shape, which is a good thing.”

The eight-year-old received a hero’s welcome following his recent visit to the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure in late January, and Buckley is expecting him to bring the house down if he can repeat the feat early next week.

Michael Buckley is confident Constitution Hill is better than ever
Michael Buckley is confident Constitution Hill is better than ever (John Walton/PA)

He added: “With all the cheering around the winner’s enclosure, Nicky turned to me and said ‘I haven’t heard anything like this since Sprinter Sacre made his comeback’. He has got a hell of a following.

“It’s really touching how much people love him and I suppose that will be accentuated a bit on Tuesday, if things go well, because he had last year off.

“Brits love a comeback kid, not that he’s structurally had anything wrong, he just had a really savage lung infection, but it was a pretty horrible experience watching that gallop (at Kempton) last year, although thank God we did it because if we hadn’t he might have gone in that state to Cheltenham and run in the Champion Hurdle and been ruined forever.”

Constitution Hill is set to face a potent new rival in the form of Brighterdaysahead, who left last year’s Champion Hurdle hero State Man trailing in her wake on her most recent appearance at Leopardstown over Christmas.

But rather than being concerned, Buckley feels the presence of Gordon Elliott’s exciting mare, and her apparent pacesetting stablemate King Of Kingsfield, will actually benefit his pride and joy.

“We’ll wait and see. I could be wrong in my views, but I don’t think there is a jumps horse around that will get him out of his comfort zone, in terms of being at his cruising speed,” Buckley continued.

“I looked at the field earlier in the week and I wasn’t sure where the pace was going to come from if she (Brighterdaysahead) didn’t run with her pacemaker, so I’m delighted about that.

“I think if Brighterdaysahead runs as she has done lately she’ll give us a good lead and the other thing is for me, if we are lucky enough to win, I wouldn’t want to have to read how it would all have been different if Brighterdaysahead had been in the field.

“We have what appears to be the best hurdler in Ireland right now, on the form with State Man and so forth, so it’s going to be the best field that anybody could put together and maybe people will start to appreciate Constitution Hill a bit more if he manages to win.”

While Buckley has been lucky enough to own several top-class horses, including a Queen Mother Champion Chase winner in Finian’s Rainbow, there is no doubt Constitution Hill is his horse of a lifetime and one he is passionate to defend.

He said: “I’ve been a bit vociferous, I suppose, after constantly reading about how he’s in decline and can’t be within 10lb of what he was. Nobody has got any evidence to support that view, it’s just chit-chat and a view and they might be right, but they could also be wrong as he might be better than he was – nobody knows.

“I actually think he might be better than he was. I think he’s more mature and is taking his races better – that I can absolutely guarantee.

“He was always an enthusiastic goer in his races, but there is something about the way he gallops now that is just a little bit different, so we’ll see.

“Maybe I’m going to be wrong, but I might be right!”