"For the last 48 hours he has been sore" - Constitution Hill likely to miss the Fighting Fifth
Trainer Nicky Henderson confirms that Constitution Hill, former Champion Hurdler, is likely to miss the upcoming Fighting Fifth Hurdle due to lameness. Despite a labored gallop, initial reports suggested he was fine, but his condition deteriorated, leading to this disappointing update. Henderson's video message aims to dispel rumors, suggesting this is not a retirement announcement. Constitution Hill previously missed this race due to heavy ground conditions, fueling ongoing speculation about his future on the track.
- Constitution Hill could miss Fighting Fifth due to lameness
- Nicky Henderson updated fans via video message
- Retirement rumors persist, despite no official call
Nicky Henderson has taken to X this afternoon to confirm that Constitution Hill will likely miss the Fighting Fifth.
The racing community on X was set alight on Tuesday, after Constitution Hill appeared laboured in a gallop alongside stablemate Sir Gino. Immediately after that public workout, Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville claimed that all was well with their former Champion Hurdler, despite an alarming drift in the betting for this year's Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
48 hours later, money began to arrive for Sir Gino, who Nicky Henderson claimed was the "super sub" incase Constitution Hill wasn't right. The former odds-on favourite drifted out to 4/1, with Sir Gino coming into 5/4 with most bookmakers.
On Friday afternoon, Nicky Henderson released an update via X. Instead of the printed messages that people found so amusing last season, Henderson spoke directly to the camera, confirming the news that we all feared.
"I'm afraid I have to report a problem with Constitution Hill." Henderson said. "He is currently lame."
"This wasn't immediately apparent after his gallop at Newbury on Tuesday. For the last 48 hours he has been sore, but for what reason, we are still unaware and we are currently investigating."
"At this stage, I think you'd have to say, that he is unlikely to make the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle next Saturday."
"This is not a retirement call. He was bright and breezy after his gallop but we have this issue."
Constitution Hill missed the Fighting Fifth 12 months ago when the ground turned heavy. Henderson's stable star ran out an easy winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but further set-backs ruled Nico De Boinville's unbeaten mount out for the rest of the campaign.
Rumours of retirement have been circling since then and, despite Henderson's protests in the video above, we could well have seen Constitution Hill on a racetrack for the final time.
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