Build him up and they will come: racing must make the most of Constitution Hill

There cannot have been many people at Kempton on Monday who backed Constitution Hill at 1-7 in the Christmas Hurdle, but how many of the 12,760 in attendance were tempted away from their sofa to see him in the flesh?

It is a question without a firm answer but considering there was such an uproar when he was declared a non-runner at Ascot earlier in the season, and the fact Newcastle recorded its highest attendance on Fighting Fifth day since 2011 when he strolled home at Gosforth Park last month, it seems reasonable to think Constitution Hill's presence alone helped put some much-needed numbers on the gate.

His price certainly didn't seem to be a concern to those who crowded around the paddock before the race to get a close-up of the 173-rated hurdler and there was palpable delight as he powered 17 lengths clear on the run-in.