Irish Daily Mirror

UPHILL TASK FOR CON TO MAKE FESTIVAL

- BY MELISSA JONES

CONSTITUTI­ON HILL sent shockwaves through the Unibet Champion Hurdle market yesterday after a below-par workout at Kempton Park threatens to rob the Cheltenham Festival of its headline act.

Bookmakers suspended their Champion Hurdle betting, when a vet discovered mucus in the horse’s system.

Concerns were raised after Constituti­on Hill, winner of all eight starts for Nicky Henderson (right), was eased by jockey Nico de Boinville.

The seven-year-old had been exercising with Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino and a stablemate.

Henderson’s immediate reaction was to send Constituti­on Hill’s sample to be tested, before making a decision over his participat­ion on March 12.

“The vet has scoped him and there is evidence of mucus,” he said.

“A laboratory will analyse it and we should know more after that. It’s a bit of a shock – and too soon to make a decision.

“It could be something that could clear up in a week. We have got to try for everyone’s sake.

“He will start a course of antibiotic­s immediatel­y and we plan to rescope him on Friday in order to monitor which way this is going.” An almost identical issue ruled Constituti­on Hill out of his final preparator­y run for his title defence.

As a result, one of the sport’s highest-rated horses of all time over the smaller obstacles has run just once this season.

After he eased clear for a second Christmas Hurdle, betting firms priced him up as the 1-4 favourite in their antepost book.

“Constituti­on Hill has drifted significan­tly to 4-6, leaving Willie Mullins’ State Man as the new Champion Hurdle favourite at 1-2,” said William Hill’s spokesman Lee Phelps.

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 ?? ?? Constituti­on Hill will be rescoped on Friday
Constituti­on Hill will be rescoped on Friday

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