Constitution Hill has been withdrawn from the Champion Hurdle and will start the “next chapter” of his career.

Trainer Nicky Henderson announced the end of the racing star’s jumps career today (25 February), with his future runs expected to be on the Flat.

Although the horse will not be racing at next month’s Cheltenham Festival (10 to 13 March), he will make an appearance “to give all his National Hunt supporters the chance to say goodbye”.

Constitution Hill, owned by Michael Buckey, won his first 10 starts under Rules including the 2023 Champion Hurdle. But three falls from four starts over hurdles prompted a change of tactics.

The nine-year-old headed to Southwell on Friday (20 February), where he made a scintillating Flat debut on the all-weather with Oisin Murphy in the saddle. The big question since has been whether connections would target a reclamation of the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, or if Constitution Hill would switch codes.

Mr Henderson said today that he and Mr Buckley have “spent a lot of time soul-searching and thinking” about the horse’s future, and have concluded that “he will not be running in the Unibet Champion Hurdle”.

“Last Friday night was for us all a magical occasion and we so appreciated his popularity and the love and admiration everybody showed to Conrad, as he is fondly called here. It was a terrific night for him, us, and I believe British horse racing.”

Mr Henderson added that he and Mr Buckley did not feel it would be fair to ask the horse and his regular jockey Nico de Boinville to race again over hurdles.

“He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields.

“I would like to thank the thousands of Constitution Hill’s supporters and admirers that have shared their sentiments with us and advice on how we should proceed, and I would have to say the poll was as near 50/50 as you could get.”

He added: “This is a sad day for a lot of us, particularly the National Hunt fraternity that would have liked to have seen Constitution Hill try to regain his crown and sad for all here especially Nico, who has spent so much time trying to iron out our jumping issues.

“However he leaves the jumping world sound and happy and ready for the next chapter. It has been a staggering journey so far and Michael has had to endure some dark days but of course enjoyed the enormous highs and thrills of an extraordinary horse.”

Constitution Hill will parade at Cheltenham racecourse on Champion Hurdle day (Tuesday, 10 March).

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A dramatic Unibet Champion Hurdle unfolded on the opening day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival as two former winners fell and a 25/1 shot ran on triumph.

Palpable shock rippled through the crowd when odds-on favourite and trainer Nicky Henderson’s stable star, Constitution Hill, who won in 2023, fell at the fifth flight. Both he and jockey Nico De Boinville were reported to be ok afterwards, but the outcome brought his unbeaten run of 10 under Rules to an end.

Last year’s winner, State Man, appeared to have the contest at his mercy, until a final flight fall when five lengths clear put paid to his chances. This left Ian Gosden’s Golden Ace with the lead and the seven-year-old by Golden Horn, ridden by Lorcan Williams, became just the seventh mare to win the race since it was first run in 1927.

Winning trainer Jeremy Scott said: “I think my team at home will be as flabbergasted as I am – they’ll be watching it at home now and they’ll definitely be reaching for the drinks’ cabinet.

“My wife, Camilla, and our family are all involved. Camilla does a lot of the work at home – she has the patience of a saint and she’s the genius, rather than me.

“Lorcan is part of the team and we work really well together. He’s just such a good horseman and he’s a good mate, so it’s really nice to do this.

“Give me a pinch and make sure this isn’t a dream! I couldn’t even dream it – for God’s sake, thump me, because I must be fast asleep at the moment!”

Lorcan Williams admitted his ride wasn’t travelling as well as he would have hoped in the latter part of the race when things started unravelling in front of him.

“Literally, I cannot believe it,” he said. “I was thinking that we could do with a bit further, then I thought, ‘We’re staying on well for second’, and things happened started to happen. I’m absolutely thrilled for the Jeremy Scott team; it’s a massive team effort to come here and I’m lost for words as to what a pleasure it is to get it done.

“Nothing compares to how I am feeling now. I hope this day will never end. I’m shell shocked.”

The James Owen-trained Burdett Road finished runner-up at odds 66/1 under Sam Twiston-Davies for the Gredley Family, while the Willie Mullins-trained 150/1 shot Winter Fog was third under Brian Hayes for The Triple Lock Partnership.

How are the Champion Hurdle fallers?

Few race fans would have predicted that Constitution Hill and State Man would fall in Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival, but both were reported by their trainers to be fine after the race.

Nicky Henderson said: “[Constitution Hill] seems fine. He is very bright and breezy, but of course he hasn’t had a race. I don’t know what can you say. He ran two miles, even if he didn’t have Nico on at the end.

“He has been in terrific form I have got to say, but when you are jumping as fast as they jump, you have got to get it deadly accurate.”

Constitution Hill may now head to Punchestown Festival in May for the Boodles Champion Hurdle.

Willie Mullins, trainer of State Man, said: “He was just long at it and popped the top of it, but these things happen. I’m just delighted he is okay.”

Cheltenham Festival day one results

1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 

1st: Kopek Des Bordes, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend

2nd: William Munny

3rd: Romeo Coolio

2pm: My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

1st: Jango Baie, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico De Boinville

2nd: Only By Night

3rd: Majborough

2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase 

1st: Myretown, trained by Lucinda Russell and ridden by Patrick Wadge

2nd: The Changing Man

3rd: Malina Girl

3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle 

1st: Lossiemouth, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend

2nd: Jade De Grugy

3rd: Take No Chances

4pm: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 

1st: Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Lorcan Williams

2nd: Burdett Road

3rd: Winter Fog

4.40pm: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 

1st: Puturhandstogether, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Mark Walsh

2nd: Robbies Rock

3rd: Liam Swagger

5.20pm: Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase 

1st: Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Ben Jones

2nd: Rock My Way

3rd: Will Do

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Former Irish champion jockey Davy Russell salutes top National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson for letting his horses do the talking in a sport where patience is key

This year’s Christmas racing was unreal. Whether you’re a diehard fan or someone new to the game, what we all witnessed was very special.

A standout moment was mighty hurdler Constitution Hill returning from a year off to win the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, beating Willie Mullins’ Festival-winning mare Lossiemouth.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Nicky Henderson pulled off such a remarkable training performance. He’s done it so many times in the past with the likes of his three-time Champion Hurdle winner See You Then, who raced sparingly owing to tendon problems and won the Champion Hurdle off one run.

Then more recently, there was Sprinter Sacre, who won the Champion Chase after an absence of nearly three months.

Nicky has received so much stick in the press and on social media about not running his horses. You’ll remember Henrietta Knight faced a similar barrage with her triple Gold Cup-winner Best Mate, with people complaining she didn’t run him enough.

But why would Nicky run Constitution Hill if he wasn’t right? Once again, Nicky let his horses do the talking and he was proved right in his decision not to run until Kempton. The result underlined why patience is so important in our sport.

Irish excitement

There was a real buzz at Kempton that day and it was the same at Leopardstown, when dual Gold Cup-winner Galopin Des Champs cast aside the superstar young pretender Fact To File to win his 10th Grade One. The champion once again proved he’s no fluke.

Brighterdaysahead is another for the Irish to get excited about and her 30-length victory in the Grade One Neville Hotels Hurdle was sensational. You’d have a soft spot for the mare because she’s so mannered and she’s actually very unassuming at home. But when you realise what’s under the hood, she’s something different.

She’s been looked after by the same people from the start, Sinead O’Brien and Shane McCann. I rode her as a young horse and I loved her. She was special, but she was so green and you wouldn’t realise how fast she is until you had another horse to take her a good gallop. I’ve never known a horse who can go so fast for such a long time.

Another Nicky Henderson runner, Sir Gino, put up a performance the likes of which I don’t think we’ve seen in my generation at least. He was a super sub in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and to win an unplanned Grade One over hurdles meant he had to be a special horse, but the way he took on his fences at Kempton was a real sight.

All in all, there’s plenty of strength and depth on both sides of the Irish Sea, more than we’ve seen for a long time, and the scales seem to be balancing themselves out. There will be a lot of fellas with their chests out heading to the Cheltenham Festival and it’s very exciting for the sport.

It’s time to take a chance

This year’s sales were pretty healthy and anything fancy is making a bit of money. But what I’ve noticed is that people aren’t willing to take a chance on anything slightly out of the norm. Unless it’s down on paper for all to see – either by a horse doing something extraordinary on the track or having a standout pedigree that suggests they could be a bit special – buyers don’t want to know. Even the syndicates have got fussier.

But this sport is not an exact science and I’m sure that in a couple of years, there will be stories from buyers about how much value they got. Just look at the 18hh Jeannot Lapin, who won at Leopardstown at odds of 150/1, having been bought for £3,000 as a hunter chaser. Although the horse was well bred and had reasonable form, there you have someone going against the grain and Dominic Jones, who took a chance buying him, is reaping the rewards.

Those horses are there if you’re lucky enough and willing to have a go.

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It is exactly a year to the day since we last saw the incredible Constitution Hill line up to continue to show us what he’s made of on a racecourse. That was when he won the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

And today, a whole 365 days later, we were once again treated to a display of his indomitable talent and will to win, when he took a record-breaking third Christmas Hurdle.

Constitution Hill, a seven-year-old owned by Michael Buckley, has been plagued with issues over the past 12 months. From ground concerns, a respiratory problem and then suspected colic, and, more recently, being a no-show in the Fighting Fifth following a very below par racecourse gallop at Newbury last month meant that prior to today he had only run five times over the past two years. It’s fair to say that he had his doubters in their droves that he would ever return to previous form, which includes seven Grade One victories, one of those being the 2023 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

But trainer Nicky Henderson silenced all of those doubters today when Constitution Hill swaggered to a comfortable victory in the Christmas Hurdle under Nico De Boinville – and the packed Kempton crowd reacted accordingly, knowing they had just witnessed one of horseracing’s all-time greats in action. His form figures under Rules now read nine from nine and he has over £800,ooo-worth of prize money to his name to boot.

“He felt fantastic – there’s still a bit of ring rustiness and he will improve for it. All the credit goes to the guv’nor,” said Nico, referring to Mr Henderson. “I’ve been very confident about him and he was back in business after a piece of work a fortnight ago.”

Mr Henderson said he intends to run Constitution Hill again before the Cheltenham Festival.

“Everybody has done all their parts in the jigsaw and it is a big squad – it’s been entertaining getting him back. There’s been a lot of things we’ve done differently – some of it’s gone well and others a bit of a struggle,” he explained. “The last three weeks have been very, very good – I’ve never seen him look better. We were unfortunate to miss the Fighting Fifth but at least we had one on the subs’ bench [referring to Sir Gino, who won for the yard].

“I’d love to run him again [before the Champion Hurdle] but if he says no, we’ll have to go straight there.

“It is great to see a crowd like this here today that appreciate good horses and that is what racing is all about.”

Prior to today’s Christmas Hurdle, the Willie Mullins trained Lossiemouth was the one to watch for many, and with her 7lb mares’ allowance, went off a close second favourite behind Constitution Hill. But she ultimately finished 2½ down in second under Paul Townend, who then went on to win the King George VI Chase 35 minutes later.

“It was disappointing,” said Paul of Lossiemouth’s run. “We were struggling way too early and I don’t know why. She ran okay, but we weren’t good enough on the day.

“You would always like to take them on again, but I’d like to find out why we underperformed here today first.”

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National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed that Constitution Hill is lame so the 2023 Champion Hurdle victor is “unlikely” to make his seasonal reappearance in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle next Saturday (30 November).

“I’m afraid I have to report that we have a problem with Constitution Hill,” Mr Henderson said. “He’s currently lame.”

The announcement comes after the seven-year-old, owned by Michael Buckely, took part in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Tuesday morning and was unable to quicken to match stable companion Sir Gino under the urges of Nico de Boinville.

“This wasn’t immediately apparent after his gallop at Newbury on Tuesday, but for the last 48 hours he has been sore but for what reason we are still unaware,” said Mr Henderson. “I’m currently investigating.

“This, as I’m sure everybody will appreciate, is a tragic problem for us. We have to report where we are and he is still under investigation.

“We’re trying to find the reason for it, which is not apparent, and we will keep everybody posted, but at this stage, you’d have to say he is unlikely to make next Saturday at Newcastle.”

Constitution Hill was last seen winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park last December. This was followed by a curtailed season owing to ground concerns, a respiratory problem and then suspected colic, so the gelding, who is unbeaten under Rules, has only run five times over the past two years.

“I have to confirm to everybody this is not a retirement call – he is not – he was bright and breezy after his gallop but we have this issue,” said Mr Henderson.

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National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson said he is delighted to have stable star Constitution Hill home, after he was taken to hospital with suspected colic.

Michael Buckley’s seven-year-old had to be taken in for monitoring on Wednesday night (27 March), during what Mr Henderson described as a “few traumatic days”, but returned to his Lambourn home at Seven Barrows yesterday (1 April).

The six-time champion trainer, who had to declare a number of his horses as non-runners at Cheltenham last month, said it was “wonderful to have him home after what he has endured”.

“He resumed normal feed yesterday with no further ill effects and had a nice pick of grass in the welcome sunshine,” he added. “Hopefully, this is all behind him now, but I am afraid it is easy to see he had a difficult week and the reality is he is going to take some time to recover and put some weight back on again.”

It had been hoped that Constitution Hill, who won the Champion Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, would be rerouted to Punchestown’s festival in Ireland (30 April–4 May), having missed the chance to defend his Champion Hurdle crown in March owing to a respiratory infection. But this proposed run is now off the cards.

“As long as he is okay, that is all that matters, but it has been a horrible few months since his great performance in the Christmas Hurdle,” Mr Henderson said. “It is time for him to have a summer holiday now and look forward to his return, hopefully in the Fighting Fifth [at Newcastle on 30 November].”

Mr Henderson was keen to express his gratitude to the many people who have supported him and Constitution Hill.

“Michael Buckley and I and all at Seven Barrows would like to thank the literally thousands of Constitution Hill supporters for all their kind messages. I would like to say they are appreciated by him, but they certainly are by all of us! I would also like to thank the vets,” he said.

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Constitution Hill will not defend his Champion Hurdle crown at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old, who is unbeaten under Rules, performed under par during a racecourse gallop at Kempton Park a week ago. Tests and scopes have subsequently taken place and his trainer, Nicky Henderson, today said in a statement that he was going to “have to admit defeat in the battle to get Constitution Hill ready for the Champion Hurdle and therefore declare that he will not be running there this year”.

Constitution Hill was scoped again after light exercise on Friday and showed no signs of mucus and a reduction in neutrophil [a type of white blood cell] levels but Mr Henderson warned the star hurdler would need to show “miraculous” improvement in his repeat blood test today (4 March) if he were to run at the Festival.

But Mr Henderson said that since mucus was found in Constitution Hill’s scope last week, he has improved in himself.

“He has undoubtedly improved over the weekend and seems notably brighter than he was at the end of last week,” he said. “Unfortunately the all-important blood test shows that although the figures have also improved, they are quite a way from being satisfactory for a horse to commence serious training and to race in a week’s time.

“There are three significant markers on the blood test, all of which have come down since Thursday’s sample, but are still raised enough to indicate that he has not fully recovered from whatever was ailing him.”

Mr Henderson said “the only way to continue the improvement is not to stress him”.

Constitution Hill is owned by Michael Buckley, and Mr Henderson said “this is very sad for all of us and particularly Michael” but that it is in “everybody’s best interests that we have a fit and healthy Constitution Hill to win back his crown next year.”

In Constitution Hill’s absence, last year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up State Man now heads the betting for the race at 4-11 for trainer Willie Mullins.

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Top National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed doubts surrounding whether Constitution Hill will line up to defend his Champion Hurdle title at Cheltenham Festival in two weeks’ time.

The news comes after the seven-year-old, who was a top British hopeful for success at the Festival, performed below par in a racecourse gallop at Kempton Park yesterday (27 February), as his trainer and owner Michael Buckley looked on.

“You would have to say at the very least that was disappointing and not what we were expecting,” said Henderson. “He has seemed in very good form but he was not himself there.”

After Constitution Hill was scoped by the racecourse vet, Henderson said they “had a problem… there was some mucus and enough to suggest it would affect performance.”

A further statement from the trainer said: “Following up on this morning’s situation with Constitution Hill, the sample from his tracheal wash has shown a small increase in the number of neutrophils, which indicates a respiratory infection, which is significant, but far from dramatic.

“He will start a course of antibiotics immediately and we plan to re-scope him on Friday in order to monitor which way this is going. He would only be having light exercise this week following this morning’s racecourse gallop.

“Both our own vet and the racecourse veterinary surgeon, who scoped him, feel we definitely have a chance of correcting this in time [for Cheltenham] and we will be doing everything possible to do so. We have a fortnight to work him and it is possible, so we will keep everybody notified accordingly.

“He is absolutely fine within himself and we have simply got to get on top of this issue as quickly as possible.”

Betting on the Champion Hurdle was suspended after news of Constitution Hill’s below par performance yesterday morning, and when it reopened at lunchtime it was the Willie Mullins-trained State Man who was odds-on favourite, with most firms putting last year’s runner-up at 1-2. Having been 1-4, Constitution Hill was pushed out to 5-4 by Champion Hurdle sponsors Unibet.

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Enjoy some of our favourite updates from equestrian social media channels during the past week, from some very cute foals to some superstars enjoying their holidays.

Which is your favourite post?

Equestrian social media posts of the week

The mega racehorse Constitution Hill looks very happy on his holidays – seen here being paid a visit by his trainer Nicky Henderson

We just wanted to take a moment to look back and admire the amazing work of the ground staff at Cheltenham Racecourse over the Coronation weekend

Don’t try this at home

What a save!

How cute are these two? 

When you really, really want to win…

Two Grade One winners very much enjoying their holidays

But our favourite social media post this week is…

A very cute combination

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Constitution Hill put himself into the record books when romping home to victory in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon (14 March). Ridden by Nico De Boinville, the six-year-old, who is trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Michael Buckley, became the shortest price winner of the Champion Hurdle.

“What a horse – I’m absolutely delighted,” Nico said to ITV Racing after the race, which Constitution Hill won comfortably at a canter with nine lengths in hand to State Man in second. “He came up out of my hands at the last flight and had plenty left in the tank. He gave me a terrific spin round.

“I could feel the others coming two out, but this horse winged every hurdle and it was just a question of when I pushed the button. He is an exceptional horse and an absolute superstar.”

Nico was quick to give his thanks to the team around him.

“I’m delighted for Michael, the guv’nor [Nicky], Sean, who rides him every day, Jayden, who looks after him, and everyone at Seven Barrows [Nicky’s yard].

“On a personal level, it has always been a dream of mine to win the big three – the Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle – and so I’m delighted to have achieved it.”

For Nicky Henderson, this is a ninth Champion Hurdle victory.

“He’s an extraordinary horse and can’t believe he’s doing stuff like that at this stage of his life; it’s remarkable,” said Nicky of Constitution Hill, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago. “Nico was obviously great too.”

Michael Buckley, who has owned racehorses for 50 years, admitted he was “shaky” following the race.

“I’d like to thank Nicky and all of his team,” said Michael after the Champion hurdle result. “I’d also like to thank the fans and the people that love this sport and have taken this horse into their hearts.”

Sir AP McCoy said after the race: “He is the horse of a generation and one we may be talking about for generations.”

State Man, who was second favourite and who has been impressing in his runs in Ireland, finished second under Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins.

66/1 shot Zanahiyr finished third in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle result for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell.

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One of the most hotly anticipated runners at next week’s Cheltenham Festival is Constitution Hill. The six-year-old gelding, who is trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Michael Buckley, is unbeaten in all of his five starts over hurdles to-date. He will start as odds-on favourite to take the prestigious Champion Hurdle title next Tuesday (14 March).

“We have been lucky enough to train a lot of nice horses and when they come along, you find yourself being the minder of a piece of public property,” says Nicky. “Sprinter Sacre almost certainly was, Altior almost certainly was – when they come along and are like that, they are no longer just yours. We just look after them and we really want everybody to enjoy them.”

Since making a triumphant debut at Sandown Park in December 2021, Constitution Hill has gone on to win four Grade Ones, including at the Cheltenham Festival 12 months ago when defeating his stablemate Jonbon by 22 lengths in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Although he comes alive on the racecourse, Constitution Hill is a completely different character behind the scenes at Nicky’s Lambourn Seven Barrows yard.

“This is why he is such a good horse as his whole demeanour is so laid back. Nothing bothers him and nothing gets him very excited,” explains Nicky.

“You wouldn’t pick him out in a crowd, whereas Sprinter and Altior you definitely would as they would tell you who they were. He is a good looking horse, but Sprinter was the most beautiful horse you would see and he knew it. He went everywhere with that swagger.

“Constitution Hill doesn’t do that. He eats, he sleeps, he gets up and does what work you ask him to, and he goes back to bed. It is all very straightforward.”

Former top National Hunt trainer Henrietta Knight knows exactly what it is like to have a superstar in your yard. She trained the wonderful Best Mate to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times between 2002 and 2004 and she says that Constitution Hill is a “crown jewel”.

“I think racing and the country like to have a horse they can associate with and [Constitution Hill] is that horse,” says Henrietta. “I think he is the horse that will capture the imagination of the people rather like Best Mate did. He was the people’s horse and I think that is what Constitution Hill is becoming.

“He is on everybody’s lips and he is the first horse that is mentioned when it comes to Cheltenham. He has not run many times, but what he has done has been spectacular. At the moment the sky seems to be the limit. I think it is the ease with which he has been winning his races that makes him stand out.

“From the days of having Best Mate, I know it is very exciting as you are sitting on a crown jewel. Nicky is a top trainer and he deserves a really good horse like this again.

“Constitution Hill is starting to become the people’s horse and Nicky is the people’s trainer.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Constitution Hill, a five-year-old gelding by Blue Bresil and owned by Michael Buckley, was awe-inspiring when cruising to an incredible 22-length victory in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon (15 March).

Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico De Boinville, he looked to be in a different league from his rivals in terms of class.

But so laid-back is Constitution Hill that Barry Geraghty’s six-year-old daughter was tasked with helping to school and ride him as a three-year-old and, as you can see from the video, they struck up a lovely partnership.

“I love his disposition,” says jockey Nico de Boinville. “He’s so relaxed. He just eats, sleeps and goes out like a pony. He wanders round at the start and does everything so easily. He is push-button to ride, honestly a jockey’s dream.

“He’s such a likeable horse. He answers every question and everything seems to be so easy for him. He’s always within his comfort zone, so it seems.”

In Nico de Boinville’s mind he is already up there with Supreme winners Altior and Shishkin in terms of raw ability.

“This is some horse, quite an animal,” he says.

When Constitution Hill won the Grade One Tolworth Novies’ Hurdle at Sandown in January, trainer Nicky Henderson had to watch the race on television, while he sat out a bout of Covid. He said at the time: “Even I thought he was impressive,” he said. “What we saw was better than any medicine – that’ll kill Covid I can tell you, watching something like that. He was spectacular. We hoped he might be.

“There had been a lot of hype from one run but he’s an extraordinary horse and just to go round there and do that was frightening, to be honest with you.”

But even Henderson described the horse as “asleep” most of the time.

“He’s a sheep,” he says: “Let’s just hope that the future shines for this horse. He could be enormous but as everyone knows you need an awful lot of luck on your side for things to go forward, but the future looks bright.”

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and updates from the Cheltenham Festival via the Horse & Hound website and read the full report in the 24 March issue of the magazine

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now