Constitution Hill ‘works beautifully’ ahead of Cheltenham run

Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson felt he was “a bit brave” stating his plan to run Constitution Hill at Cheltenham on Trials day before he had undergone a crucial gallop.

It was confirmed today that Willie Mullins had decided against sending Lossiemouth to Cheltenham for the race, making Henderson’s horse a nailed on favourite.

The Seven Barrows trainer announced on Thursday he intended to give his unbeaten 2023 Champion Hurdle winner a run in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on Saturday, which will be shown live on Racing TV, who offer the latest Cheltenham free bets offers ahead of the Festival.

However, he made clear his schedule before the eight-year-old worked on Friday morning, although all was well in that spin and Constitution Hill remains on course for what will be an eagerly-awaited outing, having made a stylish return to action from a long lay-off in winning the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.

“We said after Kempton we would see how he is in a couple of weeks’ time and he has answered that in no uncertain terms,” said Henderson.

“We sort of had an idea after a week he had come out of Kempton really well and he was bright.

“It was a bit brave of me announcing he was going to run and then having to gallop him.

“I should have done it the other way round – so I rather nervously had to gallop him, but Nico (de Boinville) rode him and said he was in great form.

“You can ask Nico, he worked beautifully.”

Unibet Hurdle betting - via Cheltenham odds

Constitution Hill 1/4

Brentford Hope 20/1

Fils D'Oudairies 50/1

Joyeux Machin, Spirits Bay 100/1