THE BOOKIES revealed a 3-1 Constitution Hill special after Nicky Henderson’s superstar proved he was in fighting spirit during a gallop at Newbury.
The hurdling machine has been put up at a generous 3-1 by William Hill to win both the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on December 2 at Newcastle, and the Champion Hurdle at the Festival.
PAConstitution Hill was unable to defend his Champion Hurdle crown last year, and Willie Mullins’ State Man swept in with a win[/caption]
Given the seven-year-olds eight-strong unbeaten run and the Seven Barrows’ trainer’s record – he is the leading trainer for both races – it looks like a generous offer.
Henderson has won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle eight times, twice with Epatante and twice with Buveur d’Air, and has gone one better with NINE Champion Hurdle victories.
Not to mention Constitution Hill has also won both races before.
A William Hill spokesperson said: “It’s been a busier than usual Monday on the trading floor, with requests for a Constitution Hill special following his latest racecourse gallop.
“We’ve gone 3/1 for the hurdling superstar to return and win the same three races he did two seasons ago; the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle.”
But the superstar had not been seen out and about since a disasterous gallop at Kempton eight months ago ruled him out of the Cheltenham festival and put a dramatic full stop on his season.
Following the calamity, it transpired he had a nasty respiratory infection.
Things went from bad to worse for National Hunt Racing’s poster-horse when a potential comeback at Punchestown was wiped off the cards by a bout of suspended colic.
And Consitution Hill’s constitution was not the only thing giving Henderson the season from hell earlier this year.
Just days before Cheltenham that a bug was running rampant around his yard which led to a near no-show at the festival.
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But finally Constitution Hill is back on the road and proved he has returned to his best during a ‘behind closed doors’ gallop at Newbury on Monday.
Henderson said of his current 13-8 Champion Hurdle fav: “He hasn’t had any competitive gallops at home yet but that’s fine.
“He looked in good shape there, it was very clean and Nico said he felt fantastic. I’m very happy with that.
“He’ll do some work at home now and then come back here for the Coral gallops morning, which will be perfect ahead of Newcastle.
“I hope I can convince them to switch it to the Sunday – I can’t have Nico in two places at once unfortunately!
“His wind was very good there as well which is pleasing. We’d always been aware of it and Nico had commented on it for a while, so we took the chance to do something about it.
“He looked like he enjoyed it! He’ll have been off the track for nearly a year by the time he gets to Newcastle so I think he’ll be raring to go.”
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