Constitution Hill to miss Cheltenham Festival, trainer confirms.
Renowned trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed that Constitution Hill will not be taking part in the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. The talented and reigning Champion Hurdle victor displayed a subpar performance during a recent session at Kempton Park, casting significant doubts on his appearance at the prestigious event.
Following an examination, it was discovered that Constitution Hill had mucus in his lungs. Despite some initial positive signs in the subsequent days, a blood test conducted on Thursday delivered a setback. Henderson later shared that a follow-up scope on Friday indicated an improvement in infection indicators, with mucus no longer present.
Nevertheless, Henderson emphasised that an upcoming blood test on Monday would serve as a crucial evaluation. Regrettably, after reviewing the results, he announced through his official platform that Constitution Hill would not be competing in this year's Champion Hurdle.
While the horse has shown signs of recovery over the weekend and appears more lively, the blood test results remain unsatisfactory for intensive training and racing readiness within a week. Henderson expressed disappointment over the situation but highlighted the necessity of prioritising Constitution Hill's health for future victories.
In the absence of Constitution Hill, State Man, the runner-up from last year's Cheltenham event, has emerged as the leading 1-3 favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Coral, with Paddy Power offering odds of 2-5.
Owner Michael Buckley hinted at the possibility of Constitution Hill resuming racing later in the season, potentially targeting fixtures at Aintree and Punchestown. However, concrete plans are currently on hold pending the horse's complete recovery.
During an interview on the Nick Luck Daily podcast, Buckley mentioned considering Aintree and/or Punchestown as potential venues for Constitution Hill's return, with a cautious approach to ensure the horse's well-being before making any firm decisions.
As Buckley stated, the focus remains on monitoring Constitution Hill's health and condition over the next ten days before considering his future racing ventures, with the hope of returning stronger and healthier for upcoming challenges.