Are you for or against Constitution Hill at 7-4 for the Champion Hurdle? Our experts have their say

There is no more exciting horse in training than Constitution Hill. He is one of the most formidable hurdlers we have ever seen. He has suffered some major issues since we last saw him on the track, but there is no better trainer than Nicky Henderson in bringing him back to his best. We asked our experts whether they are with or against Constitution Hill at 7-4 for the Champion Hurdle . . .

For

By Liam Headd, Lambourn correspondent

Nicky Henderson has proven before that he can get horses back to their very best and I fully expect him to do the same with his stable star. Even if Constitution Hill didn't race between now and March, I'd still expect him to be a similar price – or shorter – for the Champion Hurdle based on what we've seen from him up to now.

Constitution Hill: can Nicky Henderson get his stable star back to his best?Credit: Mark Cranham

I've witnessed first-hand how flamboyant he is since moving to his new base at Seven Barrows, and if normal service is resumed and he extends his unbeaten run in the Fighting Fifth, his 7-4 price will surely take a beating in the market. Take it now and watch the very best do his thing.

Against

By Robbie Wilders, tipster

I'm not sure why anyone would fancy such a short price about a horse we've only seen three times in almost two years for a race in nearly four months' time when plenty can go wrong in the interim.

That isn't to say he won't go on to win another Champion Hurdle and prove even better than before. Frankly, nobody can be totally confident of what to expect from him.

Let's see how he fares on his intended comeback in the Fighting Fifth before casting judgement about anything further down the line.

He could win that typically soft Grade 1 easily and would still have something to prove against a superior calibre of opponent at Cheltenham. On that score, we shouldn't forget about brilliant mare Lossiemouth.

Against

By Graeme Rodway, tipster

It's more than likely that we've seen the best of him and it will be a mighty training performance from Nicky Henderson if he can get him back to anywhere like the level he was at when we last saw him on the track.

If anyone can do it then it's probably Henderson and he worked a similar miracle with Sprinter Sacre, who was another who looked like he was finished before suddenly recapturing his brilliant best later in his career. But I wouldn't bet on lightning striking twice.

Against

By James Stevens, reporter and 2023-24 jumps naps competition winner

Not for me, although I am happy to be wrong. Supporters will be reflecting on the magic from Nicky Henderson to get Sprinter Sacre back but, as amazing as his Champion Chase comeback was, on Racing Post Ratings he was still a stone below the freakish standard he once set.

Who knows? But my expectation is that Constitution Hill will be very good but may struggle to reach his own sky-high standards. It will surely still be good enough to dominate a poor two-mile division in Britain but the opposition in Ireland are a completely different game.

The better bet for me is his stablemate Sir Gino at 12-1 each-way.

Sir Gino (left): could Constitution Hill's stablemate prove to be his biggest danger?Credit: Mark Cranham

Bookmaker views

We went 11-8 in September for Constitution Hill as Nicky Henderson doesn't usually make outlandish claims, so when he says his stable star "would have been having his dinner by the time State Man finished" that's some statement. He was no match for Constitution Hill in 2023 and Lossiemouth has plenty to prove.
Paul Binfield, Paddy Power

I'm against him at 7-4. I feel he might be at least that on the day of the Champion Hurdle. He'll be long odds-on to win the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, likewise the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and arrive at the festival with us all none the wiser if he's got better or worse.
Pat Cooney, bet365

Read these next:

Five big-name jumps horses set to return this weekend - including a potentially classy chasing debutant 

'He is obviously a machine but I think JP McManus has a serious squad' - the big jumps season question answered 

'She was special in every single way' - Nicky Henderson announces retirement of Cheltenham Festival winner Marie's Rock 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.