CONSTITUTION HILL impressed boss Nicky Henderson in a behind-closed-doors Newbury gallop – almost eight months to the day after his nightmare Kempton workout.
The Seven Barrows supremo was delighted with his stable star as he was put through his paces under Nico de Boinville.
Racing’s unbeaten hurdler suffered a disastrous Kempton workout last season that ultimately forced him to miss Cheltenham Festival and the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown.
But it looked like there were no such fears this time as the seven-year-old nears his big comeback at the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle next month.
Henderson said of his current 13-8 Champion Hurdle fav: “He hasn’t had any competitive gallops at home yet but that’s fine.
“He looked in good shape there, it was very clean and Nico said he felt fantastic. I’m very happy with that.
“He’ll do some work at home now and then come back here for the Coral gallops morning, which will be perfect ahead of Newcastle.
“I hope I can convince them to switch it to the Sunday – I can’t have Nico in two places at once unfortunately!
“His wind was very good there as well which is pleasing. We’d always been aware of it and Nico had commented on it for a while, so we took the chance to do something about it.
“He looked like he enjoyed it! He’ll have been off the track for nearly a year by the time he gets to Newcastle so I think he’ll be raring to go.”
While jockey De Boinville added: “He’s just where we want him to be, it’s quite soft ground so he’s definitely had a good workout without pushing any major buttons.
“It’s been a long time since he last saw a racecourse – it was Kempton last year – so it was important for him to have an away day and just a nice time.
“It was some thrill to get back on him, he’s some horse.”
More to follow.
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