HENDERSON’S BOXING DAY TREAT

NICKY HENDERSON has confirmed that Constitution Hill will run in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The five-year-old produced a brilliant performance to run away with the Grade One Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on Saturday, trouncing stablemate Epatante, and was made long odds-on to win the Champion Hurdle next March. Henderson, who yesterday gave the gelding a clean bill of health, was blown away by his turn of foot as he put the race to bed in a matter of strides once Nico de Boinville pushed the button.

The trainer (right) told Luck On Sunday: “I honestly believe the secret to this horse is his head. He’s just got such an amazing mindset, his real weapon is that nothing bothers him. Even from the front, to go and do that and change gear — even I have got to admit that sudden surge was impressive. “He has got frighteningly good at home, he is probably a better horse at home than we was last year and this time last year I didn’t think he was a good horse anyway.”

Looking to Constitution Hill’s next appearance, Henderson said: “It’s got to be Kempton on Boxing Day. That’s what the book says, the Pattern is Fighting Fifth, Kempton. You have to go by the book.”

Henderson also confirmed that Shishkin will run in the Tingle Creek Chase next Saturday at Sandown where he will be joined on the card by Jonbon in the Henry VIII Chase.