Nicky Henderson remains unfazed by the upcoming showdown between Constitution Hill and rising star The New Lion this Saturday. Constitution Hill, once a dominant force in jumping, suffered setbacks in the previous season, including falls at the Champion Hurdle and Aintree races.
In preparation for the new season, Henderson took Constitution Hill for a thorough evaluation, likening it to a visit to an equine eye specialist. The eight-year-old is currently the third favorite for the next Champion Hurdle, trailing behind Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth and The New Lion, who will be his primary rival at the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle in Newcastle.
Despite a promising performance at Newbury, Constitution Hill faces a tough challenge against The New Lion, the victor of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. The entry list also includes contenders like Anzadam from Willie Mullins’ stable and the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace.
Bookmakers are evenly split on the favorites, with Coral offering odds of 11-8 for both Constitution Hill and The New Lion, followed by 3-1 for Anzadam, 20-1 for Golden Ace, and 33-1 for Nemean Lion.
Henderson expressed confidence in Constitution Hill’s readiness for the upcoming race, emphasizing the positive signs observed during training sessions. As the event approaches, Henderson plans to accompany the horse to Newcastle for the race, ensuring everything is in place for a successful outing.
The competition initially had four contenders until Nemean Lion was added as a late entry. Henderson considered providing a pacemaker but ultimately decided against it, highlighting the stringent qualification standards for the race. While Henderson will be present at Newbury for other races, the owner, Michael Buckley, will represent the team at the Newcastle event.