Nicky Henderson breaks down in tears as beloved Constitution Hill romps home in first race at Cheltenham Festival

TRAINER Nicky Henderson broke down in tears after his horse Constitution Hill claimed the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jockey Nico de Boinville led the pre-race favourite home as he won comfortably by 22 lengths from Jonbon - another horse trained by Henderson.

And the 71-year-old trainer was overcome with emotion following Constitution Hill's triumph.

The tearful Brit said: "That was awesome. I know what the second horse is so… I'd have been very surprised if anything could have done that to Jonbon.

"He [Constitution Hill] is an extraordinary animal.

"The hype horse earlier in the year was Jonbon - then this fella woke up from his slumbers.

"Then I stopped asking Barry Geraghty 'what was this slow coach he flogged me?!'"

"He [Constitution Hill] can travel so easily and then pick it up.

"To find gears at the end of a headlong gallop like that is extraordinary."

Owner Michael Buckley then intervened and said to Henderson: "You're a genius, man."

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Meanwhile, jockey De Boinville was buzzing to clinch victory in the opening race of this year's Cheltenham Festival - where fans have returned after last year's edition was held behind closed doors.

He told the : "It couldn't have gone any better if I'm honest.

"I wasn't worried about false start at all - it just told me there would be a lot of pace so to be on the button.

"He's a very straightforward horse. You just have to sit and point. The first two hurdles were probably the quickest he's ever gone. I probably got there a bit earlier than I wanted to but he was just carrying me there.

"It was dead to the world last year and it was a very strange feeling. It's fantastic to have everyone back and to feel the crowd's emotion."