THE KING IS BACK! CONSTITUTION HILL wins third Christmas Hurdle

Constitution Hill is “back to where he belongs” after returning from a year off the track to put up a brilliant display in the 2024 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Last seen in public producing what looked to many like just a moderate effort in a racecourse gallop at Newbury, after which he was found to be lame, Nicky Henderson once again worked miracles to bring a horse back to a peak from a lengthy absence.

His jumping was immaculate throughout and while market rival Lossiemouth struggled to go the fast gallop from an early stage, Nico de Boinville was motionless throughout and pinged the last on his way to a two-and-a-half-length victory as the 5-6 favourite.

The race was built up as a big clash between the best of England and Ireland, with Lossiemouth having had a run, winning nine of her 10 races since joining Willie Mullins and being in receipt of 7lb.

However, she never looked to be travelling with the zest of the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero, who has now regained his position at the head of the betting for this season’s renewal of the two-mile championship.

De Boinville was keen not press the button too soon and followed Burdett Road to the second-last. To Lossiemouth’s credit she stuck on and still held a glimmer of a chance at the final flight, but Constitution Hill showed all his old sparkle and in scenes reminiscent of when Desert Orchid and Kauto Star used to rule the Kempton roost, he was welcomed back to a huge reception.

“He is him and the great thing is he is back to where he belongs,” said Henderson.

“I do think he is back to what he was always capable of being and I do think he is nearly as good as he was. Nico said there is a lot of improvement to come and he had a good blow going down to the last which he was entitled to do off that gallop. That was rapid stuff.

“This had to be the day he was going to get beat and not being unfair on the runner-up but there is improvement to come, I would be fairly confident about that.

“He didn’t get tired, he just had a blow and he was entitled to be a bit rusty. His jumping was like it always has been and at one time Michael (Buckley, owner) said ‘Wow’ and I thought, ‘oh slow it down!’.

“Everybody in the jigsaw has done their part and it has been entertaining getting him back. A lot of things have been done differently and some of it has gone well and some of it has been a bit of a struggle, but the last three weeks have been very good. I’ve never seen him look better.”

He added: “That Newbury gallop wasn’t everything we were looking for, but maybe Sir Gino will come out tomorrow and show it wasn’t too bad? You never know.

“There were days when it was a struggle and that gallop maybe went in our favour as he missed a week after that and we were forced to miss the Fighting Fifth. From then we had time to get the work in and this worked.

“I’d like to see how he takes this race and I have to say we’ve had to be hard on him the last three weeks. I would love to run him again, but if he says no, then we will have to say no and go straight there (to Cheltenham).”

The trainer went on: “It’s just great to see a crowd like this today who appreciate good horses – and that is what racing is all about. He’s a bit special and horses like him hardly come around at all.

“I think Sprinter (Sacre) was a unique one and so is he. This is a horse who is so seriously talented.

“Three weeks ago, when he was working on our own grass gallops at home – he hasn’t been away since Newbury – Nico came in and said ‘we’re back’. It was as simple as that.

“You had to be nervous coming here today, you had to be. I was preparing myself for defeat and I came here ready to accept it, thinking we would be ready to beat her (Lossiemouth) at Cheltenham with normal improvement. If he can do it now, he can still come on sufficiently.

“He’s got to have a clear run, but he has never looked as good as he does and I have to say the whole team at home have been fantastic and every single one has done their little and big bits that contribute. It’s a big team effort.”

Buckley said of his three-time Christmas Hurdle king: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits, I couldn’t be happier, that’s how I feel.

“I’ve kept faith in my trainer, of course I have, he tells me what is going on, he is a master trainer – anybody who has got a brain can work that out and he absolutely cares for his horses.

“There’s no point in running them when they are not right. It would also be disappointing for the public. Look at this place today, there’s a gigantic crowd and a large proportion of that will be due to him.

“It’s open to debate if he’s the best hurdler ever but he’s certainly the greatest I’ll ever own.”

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