Inside Track: Henderson’s horse may have lost his constitution for hurdling

Cheltenham Festival’s loss could be Flat racing’s gain. Constitution Hill, presently the most talked and written about racehorse – and also its most popular – will not be attempting to regain the Championship Hurdle crown, but instead will be campaigned on the Flat later on this year.

At one time, a most prolific hurdler, the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding lost his way completely in races over the smaller obstacles, falling in three of his four races.

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The decision was then taken to run him a Flat race on the all-weather at Southwell a few weeks ago. He had never run on the level, nor under lights, but that was only incidental as far as the racing public was concerned.

A huge crowd turned up to see if Constitution could climb this particular hill. He was given every assistance from the saddle, the mount going to crack Irish jockey, Oisín Murphy.

No one was let down. The Henderson horse held a prominent position throughout the 2-mile race before bolting clear in the home straight. Although eased down by Murphy, he still had almost ten lengths to spare over the runner-up, leaving those who had backed against him feeling a wee bit sorry for themselves. (Guilty, your honour.)

After that, the speculation began – would he be reacquainted with hurdling, given another crack at the Champion for which he was made favourite, or be set aside for the Flat, to be aimed at the big long-distance races.

The answer came early last week when Henderson, in consultation with the owner, Michael Buckley, said a campaign on the level was the choice.

All going well over the summer, British racing’s most popular steed since Desert Orchid, could find himself in the line-up for the famous Melbourne Cup later this year.

The Cheltenham meeting gets underway on Tuesday next and runs for four days. It’s the Olympics of National Hunt racing, and as so often in recent years, the focus will be on Willie Mullins runners.

Carlow-based Mullins has sent out more winners than any other trainer in the meeting’s history. He was leading trainer last year, and is favourite to not only retain his title, but again top the table at the end of the British season.

Mullins faces a stiff challenge from Dan Skelton on both fronts. The top English trainer has The New Lion going in the Champion Hurdle, the feature on the first day, and should the JP McManus-owned runner get to the line in front, Skelton will add considerably to the lead he has at the moment in the national title race.

Good luck to anyone who’s having a bet next week.