UPHILL TASK FOR CON TO MAKE FESTIVAL
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.