Constitution Hill Excluded from Defending Champion Hurdle Title at Cheltenham Festival
Constitution Hill, the exceptional and undefeated champion of last year’s Champion Hurdle, will not be defending his title on the inaugural day of the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. This decision comes after Nicky Henderson, his trainer, acknowledged defeat on Monday in his endeavors to prepare the seven-year-old for the event.
In a statement shared via his official channels on Monday afternoon, Henderson revealed that while Constitution Hill had shown improvement over the weekend, a crucial blood test indicated that the horse wasn’t yet fit enough for serious training and competition in just a week’s time.
According to Henderson’s statement, “Although Constitution Hill’s condition has improved since last Thursday, certain markers on the blood test remain elevated, suggesting that he hasn’t fully recovered. Continuing to stress him could hinder his recovery, and it’s clear he cannot participate in the upcoming event without adequate preparation.”
The uncertainty surrounding Constitution Hill’s participation emerged after he lagged behind in a workout at Kempton Park six days prior. Henderson expressed disappointment for both himself and the gelding’s owner, Michael Buckley, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Constitution Hill’s well-being for future competitions.
Constitution Hill has already earned acclaim as one of the finest hurdlers in the sport, boasting an impressive streak of eight consecutive victories, including commanding wins at the previous two Cheltenham Festivals.
However, setbacks have plagued his current season, with Henderson forced to withdraw him from Ascot in November due to unfavorable ground conditions. Additionally, a trip for the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle was futile due to frost, and poor health ruled him out of the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, leaving his triumph in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park as the sole highlight of his season thus far.
In Constitution Hill’s absence, Willie Mullins’s State Man, winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle in February, emerges as the leading contender for the Champion Hurdle, backed by strong odds in the betting market.
Mullins’s recent insistence that Lossiemouth won’t be rerouted to the Champion Hurdle, coupled with Constitution Hill’s withdrawal, fuels speculation about the intentions for Lossiemouth and Irish Point in the prestigious event.
With Constitution Hill out of contention, only two clear favorites from British stables remain ahead of the Festival’s opening: Crebilly for the Plate Handicap Chase and Sir Gino for the Triumph Hurdle.
The Festival’s opening card suffered another blow with Marine Nationale’s withdrawal from the Arkle Trophy Novice Chase due to injury, leaving bookmakers to consider the dominance of the Mullins stable across multiple races.