'Nico said he felt fantastic' - Nicky Henderson delighted as Constitution Hill enjoys morning gallop at Newbury

Nicky Henderson expressed his delight at seeing stable star Constitution Hill return to a racetrack and reported his morning gallop at Newbury on Monday to be "100 per cent clean".

It has been more than ten months since the unbeaten seven-year-old last raced in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, and Henderson, who took a string of five horses including Jonbon to his local track, is pleased with where Constitution Hill is at ahead of his comeback run in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on November 30.

Constitution Hill gallops at Newbury under Nico de Boinville on MondayCredit: MATTHEW WEBB

Henderson said: "That was just 100 per cent clean and it's helped him, although he's not needed a lot of help. He hasn't had any competitive gallops at home, but that's fine because he looks in good shape. It was pretty clean and Nico [de Boinville] said he felt fantastic.

"He probably enjoyed it – I'm sure he did. It's a long time since last Christmas because when he gets to run [at Newcastle] he would have been off the track for a year. He's done plenty and he's moving brilliantly."

Henderson experienced a troubled campaign with Constitution Hill last season as the seven-time Grade 1 winner, who had wind surgery during the summer, missed his spring targets after a respiratory infection and suspected colic.

"We need to get going really," said the Seven Barrows supremo. "His wind was very good. We've been aware of it all along and Nico has commented on it for a while, so we took the opportunity to do something about it while we had the time.

"He'll do a couple of bits at home and he'll come back here for the Coral gallops morning [November 19], which is perfect."

Constitution Hill returns after his morning gallop at Newbury, with trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville in discussion in behindCredit: MATTHEW WEBB

De Boinville, who has ridden Constitution Hill to all eight victories, said: "He's had a long time off, and the last time he saw a racetrack was at Kempton that day, so it was important to take it steady and show him the sights and sounds."

The Fighting Fifth clashes with Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting and Henderson joked: "Hopefully Newcastle will switch its meeting to the Sunday because I want Nico here at Newbury!"

Shloer the plan for Jonbon

Alongside Constitution Hill, star two-mile chaser Jonbon completed a morning workout at the Berkshire track as his preparations continued ahead of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on November 15.

Owned by JP McManus, the eight-year-old missed his Champion Chase engagement at Cheltenham in March but ended last season with back-to-back Grade 1 victories in the Melling Chase at Aintree and Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Jonbon was put through his paces at Newbury by Nico de BoinvilleCredit: MATTHEW WEBB

Henderson said: "He had a good blow, and he did a bit more because he's back soon. He was on his toes and a bit warm when he got here, but I've seen him a lot worse than that on his first day out.

"If he'd been any worse then I would've been quite happy to let him have a walk around before putting him back in his horse box and going home, but he was pretty good. The Shloer is the plan."

Stablemates Jango Baie, Jeriko Du Reponet and Peaky Boy – all of whom are going novice chasing this season – were also part of the Seven Barrows travelling squad.

Henderson said: "We're very happy. They've all been very good. They've all schooled and have had a morning out. God knows where they're going to go – it depends on the ground – but they're all rocking and rolling, and they're ready to go."

De Boinville said: "They're where we want them to be. It was pretty soft, so they've all had a good workout without pushing any major buttons, but it was important they had a nice away day and saw everything."

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