Nicky Henderson has put an end to speculation by revealing the decision regarding Constitution Hill’s participation at the Cheltenham Festival. The future path for the highly skilled hurdler has been a topic of debate recently.
The once dominant jumper, undefeated over obstacles until the 2025 Champion Hurdle where he fell, sparking a series of disappointing runs with three falls in the last four hurdles. Henderson, considering his options, tested Constitution Hill on the Flat for the first time at Southwell in a specially arranged race over 1m4f on the all-weather track.
In a remarkable performance witnessed by a record crowd of over 3,000 during ITV’s Friday Night Live broadcast, Constitution Hill triumphed by a significant margin, showcasing potential as a talented Flat horse.
Henderson acknowledged the dilemma he faced following the Southwell win, recognizing the weight of the decision ahead. Despite the victory causing him considerable stress, Henderson described the choice as a difficult ’50-50′ call.
A final decision was pending, awaiting discussions with owner Michael Buckley and assessing Constitution Hill’s performance in a scheduled training session in Lambourn. However, indications were clear as the Champion Hurdle betting odds for Constitution Hill began to drift alarmingly.
Subsequently, Constitution Hill lost favoritism for the Champion Hurdle, with odds shortening to 1-14 against his participation. Henderson later confirmed that Constitution Hill would not be risked at Cheltenham, signaling a shift towards a potential focus on Flat racing and likely marking the end of his hurdling career.
In a statement, Henderson and Buckley expressed gratitude for the support and admiration shown for Constitution Hill and emphasized the decision as a consensus reached after careful consideration of the horse’s future opportunities.
Acknowledging the mixed sentiments among supporters, Henderson recognized the disappointment for National Hunt enthusiasts but highlighted Constitution Hill’s departure from jumping on a positive note, ready for new ventures ahead.
Cheltenham extended an invitation for Constitution Hill to parade on Champion Hurdle day, allowing fans to bid farewell to the remarkable hurdler who had enjoyed significant success in the past.