FIFTH STILL OPTION FOR CONSTITUTION
NICKY HENDERSON is “keeping all options open” after confirming both Constitution Hill and Epatante for the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Constitution Hill, a hot favourite for the Champion Hurdle following his scintillating display in the Supreme last season, had been due to make his reappearance in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot but was taken out on Saturday morning due to unsuitable ground.
Henderson now faces a difficult decision on whether to run the five-year-old against his 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante at Gosforth Park in a race she won outright two years ago before dead-heating with Not So Sleepy in 2021.
“We’re keeping all options open, that’s all,” the Seven Barrows handler said yesterday.
“The ground is soft up there (Newcastle) at the moment.”
Next month’s International Hurdle at Cheltenham has also been raised as an option for Constitution Hill.
The Henderson [pair are among just six horses entered for the Fighting Fifth.