Nicky Henderson positive about Constitution Hill as Gordon Elliott keeps Champion Hurdle option open for Irish Point

Constitution Hill, who remains far from certain to line up for the defence of his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown following a disappointing racecourse gallop and subsequent dirty scope on Tuesday, was on Wednesday reported to appear "perfectly normal" by trainer Nicky Henderson, as connections of Irish Point said they were keeping their Cheltenham options open.

Constitution Hill, jump racing’s unbeaten superstar who was a dominant winner of last season’s Champion Hurdle, was scoped after trailing home behind two stablemates in a gallop at Kempton. The scope revealed signs of an infection and prompted a dramatic shake-up in the betting for the day one feature at the festival.

Henderson, the leading trainer in the history of the Champion Hurdle with nine wins, will scope Constitution Hill again on Friday but offered a broadly positive bulletin on Wednesday, stating the seven-year-old had been bright and well and had a normal temperature.

A statement released via Henderson's X account on Wednesday lunchtime said: "I'm pleased to say that Constitution Hill appears perfectly normal this morning. He is bright and well and ate everything last night. His temperature has remained normal both last night and this morning.

Nicky Henderson (right), owner Michael Buckley (centre) and Kempton clerk Barney Clifford (left) after Constitution Hill's disappointing gallop on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"As with all the other horses that galloped at Kempton yesterday they are having an easy day today. They have had a lead out and all appear to be sound and well and are having a good pick of grass.

"We would plan to ride them all, including Constitution Hill, tomorrow although he will have quieter exercise for the next 48 hours at least as we still have to bear in mind that he has got a hopefully relatively mild lung infection which has to improve considerably before any serious work could begin again.

"Fresh air is as important as anything for a horse's lungs. The intention is to rescope on Friday to monitor which way this is going."

The betting for the Champion Hurdle remains delicately balanced, with many firms going odds-on about both Constitution Hill and State Man in their non-runner no bet markets. 

Constitution Hill is a best-priced 4-6, while State Man, who trailed Constitution Hill by nine lengths in last season's race, is no bigger than 8-11. Lossiemouth, who is a warm order for the Mares' Hurdle, is available at 100-30.

Irish Point: entered for both the Champion Hurdle and Stayers' HurdleCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

Irish Point is next in at 6-1 and trainer Gordon Elliott had stated his intention on Monday to run four horses in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. That team included joint-favourites Teahupoo and Irish Point, but Elliott did not completely rule out the latter taking up his Champion Hurdle entry if the ground came up very soft. The uncertainty regarding the defending champion has not prompted a significant shift in the decision-making process.

Speaking on Wednesday, Elliott said: "We'll keep all options open with Irish Point and make our decision closer to the time. We won't rule out anything yet as he's in the Champion Hurdle and the Stayers' and we'll discuss both options."

Cheltenham’s clerk Jon Pullin said this week conditions were soft at the track – heavy in places on the cross-country course – and that the forecast was unsettled but contained “nothing scary”.

One trainer who was prepared to rule out any late switch to the Champion Hurdle was Barry Connell, who has no intention of supplementing last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner and Arkle favourite Marine Nationale.

Connell said: “Marine Nationale will definitely not be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle."

Constitution Hill trails behind his two stablemates at Kempton on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tuesday’s disappointing gallop prompted bookmakers to suspend the Champion Hurdle ante-post market for a period. William Hill were the first bookmaker to reopen the betting and pushed Constitution Hill out to 6-4 in their non-runner money back market.

Hills representative Lee Phelps said he could envisage a scenario where State Man could go off favourite even if Constitution Hill runs and reported there had been “some serious money” injected into the market amidst the ongoing uncertainty.

Phelps said: “We were the first bookmaker to come back out with prices [non-runner money back] and our initial prices of 6-4, 5-4 and then evens were incredibly popular upon rereleasing the market. There was some serious money injected into these prices in the first hour of trading.

“At this stage we are not too concerned laying these prices given what happened. We don't see how Nicky Henderson can be 100 per cent confident Constitution Hill will be back to 100 per cent fit and therefore there will have to be some guesswork from the yard when deciding on his participation.

“We feel the market could not possibly send off Constitution Hill anywhere near the 1-4 and 1-3 he was trading prior to his gallop. There is an argument that State Man might go off favourite even if they both run, hence we were happy to lay some 6-4, 5-4 and evens.” 

Champion Hurdle (3.30, March 12)

William Hill (non-runner no bet): 1-2 State Man, 4-6 Constitution Hill, 5-2 Lossiemouth, 5 Irish Point, 10 Not So Sleepy, Zarak The Brave, 12 Pied Piper, Echoes In Rain, 14 Luccia, 16 bar

Read this next:

Constitution Hill a major doubt for Champion Hurdle after dirty scope and below-par workout leaves Nicky Henderson stunned 

Cheltenham rivals sympathise with Nicky Henderson but are eyeing Champion Hurdle with or without Constitution Hill 

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