Constitution Hill is back! On the latest episode of Unbridled, Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan were joined on the phone by the master Nicky Henderson for the latest on his superstar ahead of Saturday’s outing at Cheltenham.
The Champion Hurdle favourite roared back to the top of his game with victory over Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Those two could well meet again this weekend in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle before going on to the Festival in March.
2024 was mostly a year of disappointment and disruption for Constitution Hill, but now he is back firing on all cylinders and Henderson is keen to make up for lost time.
Henderson said: “I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s been in terrific form.
“As you know, this wasn’t really the plan. Straight after Kempton we were thinking of going straight to Cheltenham in March but he’s come back so well so we feel we’ve got to go.
“We missed a lot last year so let’s try and make up for it.”
Constitution Hill won a third Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day
Strong Leader is another top-class horse on the comeback trail as he bids to bounce back from a poor effort in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
Trainer Olly Murphy thinks he has found the cause of that and is looking forward to taking on Crambo again in the Cleeve Hurdle.
Strong Leader (black and green) on the way to winning the Liverpool Hurdle
He told Unbridled: “He’s had a wind op and, if he’s back to his best, he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.
“Hopefully that operation has really helped him and the race has cut up a bit.
“Crambo is the one to beat but I wouldn’t swap my lad if he’s back to his best.
“He’s only been right-handed once before and he wasn’t comfortable in that race.”
