Constitution Hill 'ready for action' says satisfied Nicky Henderson despite Fighting Fifth drift after Newbury workout

Constitution Hill has drifted for the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle following a racecourse gallop at Newbury, but Nicky Henderson has expressed himself pleased with the workout alongside stablemate Sir Gino.

Henderson's 2023 Champion Hurdle winner was as short as 4-7 for his much anticipated comeback at Newcastle on Saturday week at the start of Tuesday morning, but after videos circulated of his workout alongside Sir Gino, a Grade 1-winning juvenile, he was pushed out to as big as 13-8.

Henderson said: "I hope we're going to see the usual Constitution Hill [at Newcastle]. It was great and we got the work into him. He's done a lot more today than he did with Jonbon a couple of weeks ago and he needed this gallop.

"He's ready for action. That made him work and it's why we're here. People need to remember this horse has had bad luck. There's nothing wrong with him, he hasn't been injured. It's all part and parcel of the game.

"He's had a good blow. He'll do a bit of work at the end of this week as he's not had a school yet. He hasn't jumped a hurdle, but I don't think he needs to. It just keeps his eye in."

Michael Buckley's unbeaten star has not raced since his win in the Christmas Hurdle last December, with the second half of last season unravelling following a poor racecourse gallop at Kempton in February. He was then ruled out of his Champion Hurdle defence due to a respiratory infection and subsequently taken to equine hospital after a suspected bout of colic.

With Constitution Hill pushed out for the Fighting Fifth, Mystical Power is into 6-4 joint-favourite (from as big as 4-1) for the Grade 1 at Newcastle.

Although it has been 11 months since Constitution Hill last featured at Kempton on Boxing Day, Henderson does not believe his stable star has a point to prove ahead of his eagerly anticipated return.

Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill and groom Jaydon Lee after the star hurdler's racecourse gallop at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Look, he hasn't died. He hasn't been anywhere. He hasn't been injured. He just missed a race. He hasn't got anything to prove. He has got to prove that he is still the best.

"You have got to get it out of your head that he has been missing or 'will he come back?' He hasn't been anywhere! Sprinter Sacre had been ill for a year and a half. That was a comeback. This horse isn't coming back. He ran at Christmas. Everybody goes on about it.

"But he hasn't been damaged, he hasn't been hurt, he hasn't been wounded. I've been saying this for six months and nobody seems to understand. Yes, it's great that people are talking about him and that's why we are doing something like today."

Constitution Hill will again attempt to maintain his unbeaten record at Newcastle and Henderson added: "If he gets beaten, he gets beaten. He'll get beaten one day, that's as sure as eggs are eggs. I hope it never happens. We got Altior to 19. It's possible [he'll get that many]. I don't see any reason why he would be any different to where he left off at Christmas last year. I really don't."

Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley have a debrief with James Bowen (left, who rode Sir Gino) and Nico de BoinvilleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sir Gino, who has been entered in a beginners' chase at Kempton next Monday, was another significant mover, with the 16-1 available for the Fighting Fifth on Tuesday morning with Betfair and Paddy Power long gone. He is now no bigger than 8-1.

The Champion Hurdle market has also been impacted. Constitution Hill is available at 3-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power, having been no bigger than 7-4, with Mares' Hurdle winner Lossiemouth now installed as favourite with those firms in addition to Sky Bet, while bet365, Ladbrokes and Coral are among the bookmakers to have the pair as joint-favourites.

BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle, November 30)

Paddy Power: 6-4 Constitution Hill, 6-4 Mystical Power, 3 Brighterdaysahead, 13-2 Brentford Hope, 7 Golden Ace, 8 Sir Gino, 16 bar

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 2025)

Paddy Power: 5-2 Lossiemouth, 3 Constitution Hill, State Man, 8 Ballyburn, 10 Mystical Power, 12 Brighterdaysahead, 33 bar

Read more:

Patrick Mullins: 'He isn't pretty, he isn't flash, he isn't Constitution Hill. But right now, they have the same number of Champion Hurdles' 

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

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.