• Popular horse Constitution Hill has been limited to just one outing this winter
  • His participation at next week’s Cheltenham Festival has been in the balance 
  • Trainer Nicky Henderson has now confirmed Constitution Hill won’t be in action

Constitution Hill has been ruled out of the Champion Hurdle in a significant blow to trainer Nicky Henderson – and the Cheltenham Festival as a whole.

The participation of jump racing’s superstar in the race he won so brilliantly 12 months ago has been in doubt since last Tuesday, when he galloped lamentably at Kempton behind two stablemates. He was immediately tested, with results showing he was suffering an infection.

Henderson has monitored and tested Constitution Hill every day since and was hoping that a course of antibiotics would bring sufficient recovery to get the gelding back to sufficient health in time to line-up in the big race on the Festival’s opening day next Tuesday.

But further tests on Monday confirmed that Constitution Hill – who has not been beaten in eight starts under rules – has not made the required progress and, as a result, Henderson has made the painful decision to withdraw him.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Henderson said: ‘Very sadly we are going to have to admit defeat in the battle to get Constitution Hill ready for the Champion Hurdle and therefore have to declare that he will not be running there this year.

Constitution Hill, the favourite for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next week, has been ruled out and will not defend the crown he won last year after failing to get fit in time

Constitution Hill, the favourite for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next week, has been ruled out and will not defend the crown he won last year after failing to get fit in time

The champion hurdler, a jump racing star, has been limited to just one appearance this winter

The champion hurdler, a jump racing star, has been limited to just one appearance this winter

CHELTENHAM CHAMPION HURDLE ODDS

State Man – 2/5

Irish Point – 4/1

Lossiemouth – 4/1

Not So Sleepy – 14/1

Luccia – 14/1

Zarak The Brave – 16/1 

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power

‘He has undoubtedly improved over the weekend and seems noticeably brighter than he was at the end of last week and I really did think he was much perkier when ridden this morning. Unfortunately, the all-important blood tests show… they are quite a way from being satisfactory.

‘The only way to continue the improvement is not to stress him and he obviously cannot run in these Olympic games if he has not trained sufficiently. This is a very sad day for us all, particularly (owner) Michael Buckley.

‘But it is in everybody’s best interests that we ensure we have a fit and healthy Constitution Hill to win back his crown next year.’

State Man, trained by Willie Mullins, is now the long odds-on favourite to profit from Constitution Hill’s absence. There is no escape from the fact, however, that losing a horse whose reputation transcends sports is a bitter disappointment for everyone.

Henderson told Mail Sport on Saturday at Kelso that he is determined to run Constitution Hill again somewhere this season – his options would be at Aintree in April or Punchestown in May – and is hopeful that will still be the case.

Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed the news on Monday and outlined his sadness

Henderson has told Mail Sport he is keen to run Constitution Hill again somewhere this season

There is no getting away from the fact that the yard’s form is under a cloud. Henderson has run 16 horses since February 20, nine of which have pulled up and only two have won. He believes there are mitigating factors, such as the heavy nature of the ground, but it is definitely a headache.

Henderson will still have a strong team for the Festival, including Jonbon in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Sir Gino, the hot favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, but the deflation of this bulletin will take some getting over for the team at his Seven Barrows stable.

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Post source: Daily mail

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