Henderson star Constitution Hill proves a class apart at Newcastle

IT MAY have come seven days and almost 300 miles further north than originally planned, but Constitution Hill left nobody in any doubt of his talent with a fine display in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

The five-year-old confirmed himself something out of the ordinary last season, with 14 and 12-length triumphs at Sandown only bettered by a remarkable 22-length demolition job in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trainer Nicky Henderson (left) came in for plenty of criticism last weekend after Constitution Hill was withdrawn from his planned comeback run in the Coral Hurdle, but Ascot’s loss was Newcastle’s gain and those in attendance at Gosforth Park were in for a real treat.

Constitution Hill found an extra gear on the home turn and his Champion Hurdle-winning stablemate Epatante 12 lengths behind at the line.