CONSTITUTION HILL is OUT of Cheltenham Festival –
The unbeaten superstar – who was many people’s banker of the meeting – will not defend his Champion Hurdle crown after he failed xxx
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He had been as short as 1-4 to give trainer Nicky Henderson a record-extending tenth win in the race until disaster struck.
Henderson, 73, said in a statement on Monday: “Very sadly we are going to have to admit defeat.”
The racing world was shocked last week when the Michael Buckley-owned seven-year-old was too bad to be true in a gallop at Kempton racecourse.
The Champion Hurdle markets were suspended by bookies and when they reopened Willie Mullins’ State Man was made the new ante-post favourite.
Henderson, 73, confirmed Constitution Hill had ‘significant mucus’ in his airway but at that moment retained some hope the horse would recover in time.
However, the results of a ‘more conclusive’ blood test last Thursday showed the horse was suffering ‘a significant degree of inflammation’.
The legendary trainer indicated then that today’s new blood tests would probably be the determining factor in how well the horse was.
Sadly, for him, punters and racegoers desperate to see this awesome horse in the flesh, it’s more bad news.
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The devastating blow means Henderson’s dream of another Champion Hurdle look a long shot at best.
He has also entered mare Luccia in the race, along with First Street and Under Control.
But they are 25-1, 100-1 and 150-1 respectively, with State Man the clear 4-6 favourite at the time of writing.
Constitution Hill missed his intended run at Cheltenham’s Trials Day in January after a bad scope.
The public have seen the horse just once this season, when he won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
More to follow.
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