Nicky Henderson reveals Constitution Hill set for surprise appearance en route to Champion Hurdle

Nicky Henderson has revealed that stable star Constitution Hill is on course to feature in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle on Trials day at Cheltenham on Saturday week.

The unbeaten eight-year-old made a spectacular return at Kempton on Boxing Day, overcoming a 12-month layoff to beat Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.

The Michael Buckley-owned Constitution Hill is the general 5-6 favourite to regain his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown in March.

Henderson said: "After Kempton I was pretty keen to keep the dampeners on everything and say we'd probably go straight to the festival, but we wanted to see how he was. We've had that chance now and he's just come through everything well. We know there's a lot of room for improvement – well we think there is – but he's taken to everything very well.

"My first reaction would've probably been no, but Michael was keen and I was, only if he was right. After a fortnight he was saying to us that he's fine. We missed so much of last season so let's get out and get on with it.

"He's bright in himself and he'll have a bit of work in the morning. His participation is obviously subject to everything going well with that, but it's better to say now that it's what we intend to do. We'll jump a hurdle next week as that'll flick his switch and it'll tell him it's coming. He seems great and everyone is very happy at home, which is very important."

Nicky Henderson: "It is our intention to be at Cheltenham next Saturday"Credit: Edward Whitaker

There was a lot of pressure on Henderson leading up to Constitution Hill's long-awaited return but the Seven Barrows trainer was delighted with his star hurdler's performance.

"It meant a lot," said Henderson, who was speaking at Wincanton after Ideal Des Bordes's debut victory over fences. "A lot of water went under the bridge in those 12 months. We had three different issues that went wrong and there was plenty of public opinion on what was going on. All we were doing was telling people what was going on, but whether people choose to believe us is up to them.

"Here we are and I want to get him out. A week is a long time in a horse's life – there are a lot of things that could go wrong – but it is our intention to be at Cheltenham."

A potential rematch with Lossiemouth remains on the cards in the Champion Hurdle, but Brighterdaysahead, who also holds an entry for the Mares' Hurdle on the same day, boosted her claims with a wide-margin win in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Henderson said: "Brighterdaysahead was incredibly impressive and went a right good gallop. The one thing we do know is that Constitution Hill is capable of going that gallop, whereas at Kempton we seemed to take Lossiemouth out of her comfort zone. 

"We don't know which route she will take, but we'd like to think we could keep tabs on her. It's going to be fascinating, but we're going to have a run in between which hopefully won't spoil the party."

Read these next:

Why Constitution Hill has to be taken on in the Champion Hurdle 

Surprise Japanese runner joins Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle as more star-studded Cheltenham Festival entries revealed 

'Form is temporary, class is permanent' - Nicky Henderson reflects on Constitution Hill's comeback Kempton victory 

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