Route is mapped out for Hill
NICKY HENDERSON yesterday mapped out a comeback for Constitution Hill in Cheltenham’s Unibet International Hurdle a fortnight on Saturday – followed by a possible trip to Ireland over Christmas.
Henderson, who ruled the 5-4 Champion Hurdle favourite out of a planned seasonal reappearance at Ascot on Saturday, favours Cheltenham over a clash with stablemate Epatante in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this weekend.
“It’s only a Grade 2 instead of a Grade 1, but so what?” said Henderson (above) yesterday. “It’s worth £130,000 and he only gets a 3lb penalty, so why not?”
With 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante set to seek a third success in the top-level Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Henderson is considering a tilt at Leopardstown’s Matheson Hurdle three days later.
Willie Mullins’ State Man justified odds of 4-9 in Punchestown’s Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle to earn a 4-1 (from 8-1) Champion Hurdle quote with Ladbrokes.