'A bit of a gut wrench' - Constitution Hill owner on Champion Hurdle winner's absence and hopes for Newcastle return

Michael Buckley has described watching races like last season's Champion Hurdle without Constitution Hill in the line-up as "gut-wrenching" but believes it is possible his seven-time Grade 1 winner can return to the track better than ever this term.

Constitution Hill, who carries Buckley's white silks, is set to school over hurdles this week as his return to action in Newcastle's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle on November 30 draws closer and his owner is looking forward to the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner putting last season's woes behind him for good.

Unbeaten in eight runs for Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill's season started to unravel when he underperformed in a racecourse gallop at Kempton in the build-up to his Champion Hurdle defence in the spring and a respiratory infection subsequently ruled him out of the festival.