Constitution Hill excluded from Trials day at Cheltenham due to unforeseen circumstances
Constitution Hill Absent from Cheltenham Trials Day
The reigning champion hurdler, Constitution Hill, is set to miss out on the upcoming Cheltenham’s Trials day at the end of this month due to an unsatisfactory scope result.
In his most recent appearance at Kempton on Boxing Day, Constitution Hill effortlessly secured victory in the Christmas Hurdle and maintained his unbeaten streak of eight wins. Trainer Nicky Henderson had contemplated a second outing before the highly anticipated Cheltenham Festival in March. The Unibet International Hurdle was initially considered as an option but has now been rescheduled to take place on January 27th during Trials day.
Unfortunately, a minor setback has dashed any hopes of seeing Constitution Hill compete next week. Trainer Nicky Henderson explained that a routine scope conducted last week revealed some concerns which were not resolved upon further examination this morning. Consequently, there would not be enough time for appropriate preparation ahead of next week’s race.
Henderson stated: “We have reluctantly decided that Constitution Hill won’t be able to run in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham at the end of next week.”
The horse will continue with light exercise for now and undergo another scope assessment in two weeks’ time before commencing preparations for its Champion Hurdle defense on March 12th. As it stands, Constitution Hill remains the firm favorite for this prestigious event.
Henderson added: “Both Michael Buckley, the owner, and I had hoped for a better outcome this morning. However, considering the best interests of the horse and everyone involved, it would be unwise to proceed with running him on Saturday week. This decision will not impact any future plans.”
It’s disappointing news for fans of Constitution Hill who were eager to witness his talent once more at Cheltenham Trials day. Nevertheless, as we look ahead to March’s Champion Hurdle, anticipation continues to build around what is expected to be an exhilarating event.