Constitution Hill enjoyed an impressive run of success in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday after Nick Henderson, the unbeaten hurdler, suffered a poor pre-race performance at Cheltenham at Kempton. Before long, it was discovered that there was mucus in the lungs, so Constitution Hill’s chances of continuing last year’s impressive success in the Champion Hurdle appeared to be in jeopardy.
Constitution Hill was widely favored at 1-4 in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday morning, but bookmakers immediately suspended betting on the race, which takes place on March 12, as news of the show jumping event broke. Featured event on the opening day of the festival conference. The second-favorite State Man dropped from 3-1 to 5-2 against several teams before the hiatus.
The seven-year-old is working out with Sir Gino, favorite for the Triumph Hurdle on March 15, under his Grand Prix jockey Nico de Boinville Next exercise. By the end of the trot he had slowed down significantly and was a good distance behind his four-year-old stablemate.
“Unfortunately, Constitution Hill had a very disappointing performance during her routine run this morning and was examined by a veterinarian and found evidence of mucus,” Henderson said Tuesday.
“We are taking samples of it to the laboratory for analysis, which will tell us how important it is and then we should know more. He was doing well last week and was tested ten days ago, but these things happen , as happened to him earlier this year [when Constitution Hill missed his intended Festival prep race in late January]. Horses are just like humans, look how many people get a nasty cough around Christmas and take a long time to get rid of it. “
Henderson is no stranger to drama surrounding the Champion Hurdle favourite, as 2010 race winner Binoculars appeared to be ruled out of the race a month ago with a muscle problem. Just two days before next season’s race, the horse was ruled out of a title defense because steroids used to treat an allergic reaction failed to clear his system.
Henderson added: “The vet still thinks the condition may be gone within a week and all his serious work has been done whether he succeeds or not [to Cheltenham] Will depend on its severity.Normally he would follow him easily [Sir Gino]But he couldn’t do that this morning, so it wasn’t hard for Nico to realize that everything was not going well. Apparently the slime was affecting him. As we said, he didn’t cough, he just saw a dirty picture.I’m not saying that’s absolutely the case [about the Champion Hurdle] I will continue to hope. As you can imagine, this was a bit of a shock. “
quick guide
Greg Wood’s Wednesday Tips
exhibit
bangor 2.20 Malpas 2.50 Furkash 3.20 Gold Emery 3.50 Strong Belle 4.20 Guardian of the Moon 4.50 Globe Player (nb)
wincanton 2.35 Ezmerellda 3.05 Tedley 3.35 Pedley Wood 4.05 Tune In A Box 4.35 Moytier 5.05 Famous Clermont
kempton 5.30 Soldier Design 6.00 Not relevant 6.30 Condor Pasa 7.00 Qualified 7.30 Thoughtful gift 8.00 Man on a mission (nap) 8.30 Tormented Soul
With most companies offering refunds to non-runners in the pre-race market, many slates are in the unusual position of making State and Constitution Hill odds for the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday night.
However, Unibet, which sponsors both Champion Hurdle and Henderson Stables, remains “all in”, making State Man the new favorite at 4-5 and Constitution Hill 5-4.
The company then cited Lossiemouth, the stables of State Man at Willie Mullins Stadium and a 9-1 favorite for the Mares Hurdle that afternoon, with Gordon Elliott’s Irish Corner is second favorite for the Starrs Hurdle on the 14th March, with a 14-1 run to successfully convert the title.
