Nicky Henderson has expressed confidence heading into the upcoming showdown between two prominent horses, Constitution Hill and challenger The New Lion. Constitution Hill, a former standout in jump racing, maintained an unbeaten record in ten races under rules until last season.
However, setbacks marred his recent performances, including a fall as the favorite at the Champion Hurdle and another stumble at Aintree. Subsequently, he finished fifth in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Ahead of the new season, Henderson disclosed that he had subjected Constitution Hill to an extensive evaluation, likening it to a visit to an equine vision specialist for an assessment.
Currently, Constitution Hill is listed as the third favorite at 5-1 for the next Champion Hurdle, trailing behind Willie Mullins’ mare Lossiemouth and the formidable The New Lion, who is anticipated to be a strong contender in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this weekend.
In a recent display at Newbury, the 2023 Champion Hurdle victor showcased his form, setting the stage for a challenging encounter with The New Lion, who triumphed at the Turners Novices’ Hurdle during the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. Joining them in the competition are Willie Mullins’ Anzadam and the reigning Champion Hurdle titleholder, Golden Ace.
Bookmakers Coral have placed both Constitution Hill and The New Lion at 11-8 odds, with Anzadam following at 3-1, Golden Ace at 20-1, and Nemean Lion at 33-1.
Henderson expressed calmness about the upcoming event, emphasizing that the preparations have been positive compared to the previous year. He mentioned the successful training sessions and the favorable feedback from jockey Nico de Boinville.
Looking ahead to the race, Henderson acknowledged the competition’s evolving dynamics, including the late addition of Nemean Lion to the lineup. Despite considering strategies like employing a pacemaker, the focus remains on the primary contenders.
While Henderson plans to oversee other races at Newbury, owner Michael Buckley will be present at the Newcastle event, reflecting the shared anticipation surrounding Constitution Hill’s performance.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and <a data-testid="