"He's in great form" - Constitution Hill set for surprise Lossiemouth rematch on Trials Day

Everyone in National Hunt racing was delighted to see Constitution Hill line up in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Nicky Henderson had only managed to get his former Champion Hurdler out on the track once in the previous 600 days, with many experts - myself included - fearing he might never see the spotlight again.

Willie Mullins sent Mares' Hurdle winner Lossiemouth over to Kempton at Christmas, to provide the returning Constitution Hill with a true test. Sadly, Lossiemouth underperformed on the day, as Constitution Hill completed a hat-trick of Christmas Hurdle victories in impressive fashion.

Following that victory, Nicky Henderson said it was likely that Constitution Hill would head straight to the Champion Hurdle. However, after schooling his superstar twice in the past week, connection have decided to run in Saturday's Unibet Hurdle.

"We think he's in terrific shape." Henderson told the press on Monday. "He's in great form. He looks and feels great, and schooled beautifully this morning."

"We had the choice of going straight to the festival or going this way. We were as disappointed as everybody else that he wasn't able to run last year so we felt that while he's right we'd better get him out there so he can enjoy himself, and hopefully everybody else can enjoy watching him."

"After Kempton, I really thought we'd go straight to the Cheltenham Festival but he's been very well. His owner Michael Buckley was keen to go here, and so was I."

Lossiemouth is also entered in the Unibet Hurdle, which takes place on Cheltenham Trials Day. Willie Mullins' star was expected to join stablemate State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle during the Dublin Racing Festival, but it seems connections have had a change of heart by entering their star mare at Cheltenham this Saturday.

"It would be interesting if they met again," Henderson continued. "Kempton and Cheltenham are two different ballgames." 

"She's been very impressive around Cheltenham but so has Constitution Hill on two occasions. He's shown he's effective there and I don't think the track frightens him, but I can see how it could potentially benefit Lossiemouth."

Constitution Hill is currently the 1/4 favourite to win the Unibet Hurdle, and is best priced at 10/11 to win the 2025 Champion Hurdle with Unibet. Lossiemouth drifted out to 4/1 to win the Champion Hurdle after her defeat at Kempton and could be rerouted back to the Mares' Hurdle should she suffer another loss to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham this weekend.