Nicky Henderson hopes 'rain arrives swiftly' before Constitution Hill comeback

Nicky Henderson was pleased to see the rain arrive ahead of Constitution Hill's planned first start of the season in Ascot's Coral Hurdle (2.40) on Saturday.

A band of rain swept across southern England on Tuesday, which the trainer hopes will ease the ground sufficiently for the Champion Hurdle favourite, who was a stunning 22-length winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, to make his seasonal return.

The going at Ascot on Tuesday changed to good to soft, good in places (from good, good to firm in places) after 19mm in 24 hours.

Speaking at a Coral Gold Cup gallops morning at Newbury, which is 30 miles west of Ascot, Henderson said before the change in going: "We hope the rain arrives swiftly at Ascot. I've been stood in it since half past six and I'm drowned in it!"

'He is just quite extraordinary'

The Seven Barrows trainer has been dazzled by Constitution Hill's work at home when jumping hurdles with a white trim for the first time.

He added: "He is just quite extraordinary. I said to Charlie Morlock [assistant trainer] that the beauty of this horse is he's so uncomplicated.

"Nico turned him towards a white hurdle having not seen one before, or jumped one since last season, and he was straight in like 'bang, bang, bang'. He's crazy."

Constitution Hill is the 5-4 market leader for the Champion Hurdle at the festival, with dual winner Honeysuckle a 7-2 chance.

Coral Hurdle (2.40 Saturday, Ascot)

Coral: 2-7 Constitution Hill, 5 Brewin'upastorm, 6 Good Risk At All, 7 Goshen, 8 Theatre Glory, 10 Saint Sam, 33 bar

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