The mountain of the constitution is back! In the latest episode of Unbridled, Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan join master Nicky Henderson on the phone for the latest on his superstar ahead of Saturday’s outing at Cheltenham.
The Champion Hurdle favorite returned to the top of his game with a win over Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The two could meet again this weekend in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle before heading to the Festival in March.
2024 was mostly a year of frustration and disruption for Constitution Hill, but now he’s firing on all cylinders and Henderson is eager to make up for lost time.
Henderson says: “I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s in great form.
“You know, that wasn’t really the plan. After Kempton we were thinking of going straight to Cheltenham in March but he’s come back really well so we think we have to go.
“We missed a lot last year so let’s try and make up for it.”
Constitution Hill won the 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 Ollie Murphy thinks he has found the reason why and is looking forward to taking Crambo on again in the Cleve Hurdle.
Strong Leader (Black and Green) on the way to win the Liverpool Hurdle
He told Unbridled: “He’s had a wind operation and, if he’s back to his best, he’s the one they all have to beat.
“Hopefully that operation really helped him and slowed the run down a bit.
“Crambo can beat one but I wouldn’t trade my son if he’s back to his best.
“He’s been right-handed once before and he wasn’t comfortable in that race.”
