Henderson issues upbeat Constitution Hill bulletin

Nicky Henderson has issued a positive update on Constitution Hill, with a run in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle still a possibility.

The seven-year-old, who is unbeaten under rules, was due to start this season in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this Saturday but his trainer announced he was lame last Friday and would be ruled out.

The cause of the issue was initially unknown but after investigations, it has been found to be less severe than initially feared.

Henderson reports the lameness to have eased on Monday morning and the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day could be back on the agenda as the gelding prepares to resume working at a gentle pace.

“As we mentioned on Friday, we’ve had a fairly mysterious lameness that we couldn’t identify so he spent the day with the vets,” the trainer said in a video posted to X.

“First he had an X-ray to see if there was anything untoward, which would have been very unpleasant, ultrasound scans and X-rays revealed nothing.

“An MRI scan identified a small area with a bit of inflammation in his pastern, near fore, that was actually touching the nerve, and that’s what was making him so sore.

“That would have been very sore, but I’m glad to report from being noticeably lame, very noticeably lame, on Friday and Saturday, he’s miles better this morning.

“We are starting some gentle walking exercise today with a really serious hope we can get back on the road so we can continue his preparation, which will hopefully now lead us to the Christmas Hurdle.

“Obviously the Fighting Fifth is out, but the Christmas Hurdle is still realistic.

“He won it last year, so let’s hope that’s where we can get him out and he can get his great career back on track.”