Cheltenham star Constitution Hill overcomes final flight drama - 'He was half asleep'
Cheltenham star Constitution Hill overcomes final flight drama - 'He was half asleep'
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Constitution Hill overcame a shocking final flight blunder to deliver at building-society odds of 1-12 on his Cheltenham return yesterday. Nicky Henderson's superstar was back at the track for the first time since he joined the greats with a nine-length Champion Hurdle supremacy in March 2023.
Ruled out of his title defence by a bug affecting Seven Barrows, Constitution Hill began the ultimate sporting comeback on familiar territory at Kempton over Christmas. The Unibet Hurdle defection of top class Lossiemouth - chasing his shadow in the London suburbs - left Henderson's unbeaten thoroughbred with a simple task on Festival Trials Day.
And it was plain sailing for Constitution Hill until he clattered through the last jump, forcing Nico de Boinville to hold on tight. However the eight-year-old had so much in hand he was able to brush off the mishap and ease three lengths ahead for career triumph number ten.
"He was half asleep and not paying attention," said De Boinville, whose mount is 4-7 with William Hill to regain his Champion Hurdle crown. "In the end it was very easy for him - he's just on a different level.". Henderson is building a formidable Festival squad, which includes a likely successor to his legendary two-mile chasers in Sir Gino and major Triumph Hurdle gamble Lulamba.
But it would mean the most if the trainer - teary-eyed at applause for Constitution Hill - can propel his champion back to the top. "It is great to see the crowd here today," said Henderson, scratching his head when a stable illness gave him a torrid time at the four-day extravaganza last March.
