Nicky Henderson remains calm and confident ahead of the upcoming showdown between Constitution Hill and rising star The New Lion on Saturday. Constitution Hill, a former unbeaten jumping sensation, faced setbacks in the previous season with falls at key races like the Champion Hurdle and Aintree.
To ensure Constitution Hill’s peak performance, Henderson took proactive measures by subjecting the eight-year-old to thorough evaluations, including a visit to an equine specialist akin to Specsavers. Despite recent challenges, Constitution Hill is positioned as the third favorite at 5-1 for the next year’s Champion Hurdle, trailing behind Willie Mullins’ mare Lossiemouth and The New Lion, the anticipated contender for the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The highly awaited clash will see Constitution Hill pitted against The New Lion, who secured a victory at the Turners Novices’ Hurdle during the renowned Cheltenham Festival. The competitive field also includes entries from top trainers like Willie Mullins’ Anzadam and the reigning Champion Hurdle victor, Golden Ace.
Bookmakers at Coral have placed both Constitution Hill and The New Lion at 11-8 odds, showcasing the tight competition. Henderson expressed optimism about Constitution Hill’s readiness, highlighting a successful training session with jockey Nico de Boinville. As the event approaches, Henderson plans to accompany Constitution Hill to Newcastle for the challenging race, emphasizing the team’s improved preparation compared to the previous year.
With the addition of Nemean Lion to the lineup, Henderson briefly considered providing a pacemaker but ultimately decided against it. While Henderson will oversee other entries at Newbury, owner Michael Buckley will attend the Newcastle event.