Nicky Henderson issues Constitution Hill update with chasing ruled out ‘unless we’re absolutely sure’
THE future of jumps racing’s prodigal son Consitution Hill remains up in the air according to his trainer Nicky Henderson.
And no matter how much punters beg and plead, chasing is an unlikely route for the six-time Grade 1 winner.
GettyNicky Henderson with his pride and joy Constitution Hill[/caption]
Constitution Hill has done nothing but improve for the six-time champion trainer and seamlessly left novice company last season.
He decimated rivals in the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle in a flawless campaign.
That left the majority of punters hoping that Constitution Hill would head over fences, as he’d achieved everything he could over hurdles.
That wish doesn’t look likely to be granted, however, as Henderson will only send him over fences on one condition.
Henderson told Newbury Today: “We’ll announce what we’re doing next week.
“We’re still to-ing and fro-ing, so many things have to go right so whatever we do is a bit of a risk.
“He’s had a great summer – he’s even been training with an unbeaten boxer – and we’re still weighing up our options.
“We won’t send Constitution Hill (over fences) unless we’re as sure as can be that he’s going to stay three-and-a-quarter miles.
“There’s no point switching to fences just to win the Champion Chase now, because you might as well win the Champion Hurdle again.”
It’s no surprise that Henderson would rather keep him in the two-mile division over hurdles.
He’s won the Champion Hurdle a record nine times, with See You Then, Punjabi, Binocular, Buveur D’Air and Epatante being his other winners.
Constitution Hill is a general 4-6 shot for the 2024 Champion Hurdle and is 5-2 for the Arkle.
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