Henderson on Constitution Hill: 'I'm buzzed up - but also desperately nervous'

Monday: 1.55 Kempton
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Those in attendance at Newcastle on Fighting Fifth day witnessed an extraordinary performance from Constitution Hill and Kempton racegoers should brace themselves for another majestic display in the Christmas Hurdle.

The spectacular five-year-old’s already substantial achievements in the sport are mind-boggling considering his relative inexperience and defeat would represent one of the greatest shocks in the history of top-level racing.

Constitution Hill is a general 1-7 chance at Kempton and for good reason. He made stablemate Epatante, a six-time Grade 1 heroine whose bulky CV includes two Christmas Hurdle triumphs, look ordinary at Newcastle and he has at least 17lb in hand from his remaining three rivals.

A horse of Constitution Hill’s staggering ability will doubtless scare off opponents during the peak of his career – an era he is surely yet to reach – and that appears to have happened at Kempton.

It is hardly beyond the realms of possibility this superstar could go off at similar odds in the Champion Hurdle come March with opponents choosing to duck the fight. And quite frankly, who can blame them?

Nonetheless, the Champion is three months away and we should focus on the present.

There are admittedly zero chinks in Constitution Hill’s armour as he is a proven winner under contrasting tactics on varying ground conditions, but the hope is he makes the running under Nico de Boinville as he did when dazzling at Gosforth Park for a career-best Racing Post Rating of 176.

Front-running at an end-to-end gallop might be pivotal to Constitution Hill revealing the extent of his enormous talent and threatening the record books as slower-run affairs will compromise his claims of building on that 176 RPR.

The next step for Constitution Hill is to break through the 180 RPR ceiling, a feat that was last achieved in April 1999 when Istabraq landed the Punchestown Champion Hurdle (181). Naturally, improvement should be forthcoming on his second start of the campaign and fingers crossed we see an even greater tour de force.

Racing is synonymous with betting, but the Christmas Hurdle reminds us we need not wager in every race to enjoy it. Marvel at the greatness and savour it while it lasts.

The market is probably spot-on below the favourite with Epatante leading the four challengers ahead of Sceau Royal, Metier and Highway One O Two. However, if the ground eases significantly before the off, then mud-lover Metier is worth a second look in the ‘without the favourite’ market.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

It's like the Sprinter days all over again for Henderson

There is no bigger box-office attraction in jump racing than Constitution Hill, who bids to maintain his unblemished hurdles record at Kempton, with defeat considered almost unthinkable.

Perhaps not surprisingly, however, Nicky Henderson is approaching the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle with sweaty palms.

For although Michael Buckley's astonishingly talented five-year-old started his season with a dazzling display at Newcastle and now trades no bigger than 4-11 to dethrone Honeysuckle in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Henderson is taking nothing for granted.

Constitution Hill soars over a hurdle on his way to winning the Fighting FifthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He jumped five hurdles this morning and worked on Tuesday," said the master of Seven Barrows, who draws parallels between Constitution Hill and Sprinter Sacre in his pomp.

"It's the same sort of situation we had during Sprinter's early years over fences. In those days, people were never going to be satisfied with anything less than a 20-length win on the bridle. It was assumed he would just go round, jump a few fences, wave to the crowd and get a prize.

"The reality is a million things can go wrong. I have to look at it in that way. I get more buzzed up about this kind of race than I normally would when we're involved in a major race. If you have a fancied runner you go there excited, whereas in these circumstances I'm desperately nervous and hoping nothing goes wrong."

Henderson does not expect to witness a shock but he is adamant 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante will claw back some of the 12 lengths that separated her from Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Epatante: reported to have come on for her Fighting Fifth reappearanceCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I have to say Epatante is in particularly good form," revealed Henderson. "I really do think she has come on a hell of a lot for Newcastle. It's a bit like last season, when she got away with dead-heating in the Fighting Fifth before being electric in the Christmas Hurdle.

"It certainly wouldn't surprise me if she got closer to Constitution Hill this time. If he is as good as he was at Newcastle she isn't going to beat him, but she will get closer this time."

What they say

Chris Gordon, trainer of Highway One O Two
We're aiming him at the Betfair Hurdle but even if he finishes last here he'll earn £3,500. There's also the possibility that if he happens to have improved 35lb since his last race, he'll look well in at the weights compared to Constitution Hill!

Harry Fry, trainer of Metier
I want to get him out before we go back for the Winter Millions at Lingfield. He is well in himself and needs to run but I'm not expecting a Christmas miracle.

Alan King, trainer of Sceau Royal
I’m under no illusions – he’s not going to be up to winning if Constitution Hill takes his place in the field. He has had a good break since his run at Wincanton in November and has been kept deliberately fresh for this and has been working well. He likes Kempton, where he's won twice in three completed starts, but he would be suited by decent ground.
Reporting by Lee Mottershead

Big-race previews:

12.45 Kempton: Champ v Paisley Park again: who comes out on top in a match of familiar foes?

1.10 Leopardstown: Triumph favourite Lossiemouth set for true test - but Paul Townend is unsure

1.20 Kempton: Nicholls pair McFabulous and Gelino Bello clash - but does Skelton hold the ace?

1.35 Wetherby: 'We hope he's still a Gold Cup horse' - Rowland Meyrick insight and key quotes

2.20 Leopardstown: 'This has been the plan' - can classy Fil Dor bolster Arkle claims for Elliott?

2.30 Kempton: 'We haven't seen the best of him yet' - key trainer quotes for the King George

2.40 Limerick: 'He's done everything right' - Elliott and Mullins duel in Faugheen Novice Chase

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