'Wake up guys, he's never been injured' - Constitution Hill owner hits out at doubting pundits

Michael Buckley has hit out at the "absolutely ridiculous" way Constitution Hill has been written off in some quarters, but warned his superstar hurdler would not be at his best when returning from a year off on Thursday.

He has been frustrated by the speculation over his horse's future during a 12-month period when trainer Nicky Henderson was forced to rule him out of his Champion Hurdle defence in the spring and again from his intended autumn return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The hugely popular performer also put his big fan club through the wringer when suffering a bout of colic in the summer.