Constitution Hill a major doubt for Cheltenham - Champion Hurdle betting suspended
Champion hurdler Constitution Hill's lethargic performance at Kempton Racecourse stoked worries about his participation in the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Veterinarian Jamie Knapp suggests the horse's excess mucus could clear within a week, but an underlying condition or inadequate preparation time for the Festival might be a factor.
- Breaking news ahead of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival
- Constitution Hill has scoped dirty following a disappointing gallop at Kempton
- Champion Hurdle betting has been temporarily suspended with some firms
On the eve of every Cheltenham Festival, Nicky Henderson takes most of his travelling party for a gallop at Kempton racecourse.
All eyes were on Constitution Hill, as the defending Champion Hurdler took to the track alongside Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino and another unnamed workhorse. To the shock of Henderson and the gathered media, Constitution Hill produced a lethargic display, labouring home some ten lengths behind Sir Gino, having set off just behind his younger stablemate.
All eyes were on Constitution Hill, as the defending Champion Hurdler took to the track alongside Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino and another unnamed workhorse. To the shock of Henderson and the gathered media, Constitution Hill produced a lethargic display, labouring home some ten lengths behind Sir Gino, having set off just behind his younger stablemate.
The Twittersphere was sent into a frenzy when the video footage emerged and it wasn't long before firms stopped taking bets on the Champion Hurdle. Constitution Hill missed his intended prep-run in the International Hurdle after returning a dirty scope and something similar cropped up when Henderson's star was examined after the gallop at Kempton.
Nicky Henderson released this statement via his official Twitter account...
Unfortunately, Constitution Hill did not work as expected at Kempton this morning and obviously we have a problem which is desperately disappointing for all of us, Michael (Buckley, owner), Nico (De Boinville, jockey) and the whole team.He was scoped immediately afterwards which showed he has excess mucus in his lungs which obviously affected his performance. This is pretty similar to the picture we got before he couldn't run in the Unibet Hurdle in January.In the meantime, he has been 100% and his work has been excellent, so today's performance was a big shock. A sample is currently in the Lab and we should have the result later this afternoon, which will give us a clue as to what we're dealing with.It is perfectly possible to clear this with antibiotics and could easily resolve within a week and as all the work he needs has virtually been completed, we will have to monitor the situation for the time being.It is obviously going to be a race against time but we have got to try and get him there if at all possible, so I certainly wouldn't rule anything in or out at this particular moment. We will know more when we get the result from the sample and will keep everybody in the picture.
In a separate interview with Racing TV, Henderson said that vet, Jamie Knapp claimed that mucus can easily be cleared up within a week. However, if there is a more serious underlying problem that's causing the mucus, then it's highly likely that Constitution Hill will miss the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
In his absence, State Man would enter the Champion Hurdle as the firm favourite. Irish Point and Lossiemouth, who were being pointed at other targets, have shortened up on the exchanges, as connections eye surprise tilts at the championship race on day one.
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