'He's exceptional' - Buckley relishing Kempton for new star Constitution Hill

Michael Buckley, still revelling in the sensational atmosphere he experienced when Constitution Hill shone at Newcastle last month, hopes the Christmas crowd at Kempton can enjoy an equally thrilling treat on Monday when the sport's newest superstar lines up in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55).

Trained by Buckley's close friend Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill is already odds-on for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and his spellbinding success in the Supreme there last season was followed by a flawless Fighting Fifth victory at Newcastle a month ago.

Kempton also hosts the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Monday, which marks day one of the ITV Racing Christmas Festival, but the presence on the card of Constitution Hill is threatening to overshadow the feature race, and Buckley is beaming at the thought of his outstanding five-year-old finding a place in the hearts of racing fans.

The son of Blue Bresil, who will be ridden by Nico de Boinville, was on Tuesday among ten horses entered in the Christmas Hurdle where his potential rivals include high-class stablemate Epatante, but his depth of ability means he is a 1-10 shot to prevail with Coral.

Constitution Hill: star hurdler's win in the Fighting Fifth was effortlessCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"All has been well since Newcastle," Buckley said. "The enthusiasm of the crowd up there was outstanding. I was amazed by it – the reception was sensational.

"I have faith in the horse and have more after the Fighting Fifth. What he did there was pretty impressive and, on the ratings he should win, but you need good health and then good luck in the race. I'm aware of that and it's not without stress thinking about it, but it's fun – he's a grand horse who I'm lucky to have. I loved Newcastle and how much people enjoyed seeing him.

"I thought Newcastle was remarkable. I had never been and looked at the pre-parade ring and people were eight deep before the race.

"The crowd was staggering. Whether they're like that as a matter of habit or because of the performance I don't know, but I saw a photographer who goes there at the ROA [Racehorse Owners Association] dinner and he said he'd never heard a cheer at Newcastle like it when the horse won.

"I'm taking it at face value and the people were fantastic – shouting Nico, Nico, Nico after the race and I was asked for my autograph, which has never happened before! The horse was spectacular and I hope he can do that more than just once."

Epatante: Constitution Hill's stablemate could also run at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

An owner since the 1970s, Buckley added: "The crowd at Newcastle were appreciative and it was a wonderful day out. Kempton on Boxing Day is always a great atmosphere and people are in the mood to see good performances, which I hope they do.

"He's a pretty exceptional athlete and if people are taken by him and want to love him and cheer for him – I'm thrilled by that.

"He seems to have captured the public imagination almost from the get-go, which has slightly surprised me, but I think it was partly because Ruby Walsh was very complimentary about him on television and then what he did in the Supreme was completely out of the ordinary.

"He has a lot of talent and has a great demeanour, and people are welcome to be as appreciative of him as I am."

Leading owner Michael Buckley with his pride and joy Constitution HillCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buckley anticipates Henderson also running Epatante, but does not think the prospect of a small field, should Constitution Hill's participation frighten off the opposition, is a damaging one.

"There have been plenty of horses who looked to have a race within their winning and it doesn't happen," he said. "I think for the spectators it would be more interesting if there were more runners, but for me I'd rather only one to take on!

"People like to see good horses, and good horses tend to run in smaller fields, but it doesn't detract from people's enjoyment.

"If you have a good horse, not so many people want to take them on because they don't want to get hammered if the good horse shows up on the day. How many horses took on Galopin Des Champs in Ireland on Monday?"

Possible 2022 Christmas Hurdle runners

Constitution Hill
Earlofthecotswolds
Epatante
Highway One O Two
I Like To Move It
Knappers Hill
Metier
Mortlach
Sceau Royal
Uhtred

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Kempton, December 26)

Ladbrokes: 1-10 Constitution Hill, 13-2 I Like To Move It, 7 Epatante, Knappers Hill, 10 Sceau Royal, 25 bar

Introducing the ITV Racing Christmas Festival

The ITV Racing Christmas Festival features six days of top-class action on the channel from 12 different tracks in Britain and Ireland between December 26 and January 1.

Some 41 live races will be shown in all, including eight Grade 1s such as the King George VI Chase, with the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham's New Year's Day card among the big-race highlights across a spectacular six days of racing on terrestrial television over the festive period.

December 26
Kempton: King George VI Chase day
Wetherby: Rowland Meyrick Chase day

December 27
Chepstow: Welsh Grand National day
Kempton: Desert Orchid Chase day

December 28
Leopardstown: Savills Chase day
Leicester

December 29
Leopardstown: Matheson Hurdle day
Doncaster

December 31
Newbury, Warwick and Lingfield

January 1
Cheltenham, Musselburgh and Tramore

2022 ITV Racing Christmas Festival offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

Read these next:

Who remains in contention to run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton?

What's on this Christmas - a full rundown of the festive schedule

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