OVER THE HILL
Constitution Hill dazzles in ‘fantastic’ behind-closed-doors Newbury gallop as Nicky Henderson says ‘he’s raring to go’
It's a huge relief for his legendary trainer
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.
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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."
Henderson's big 3-1 Champion Chase favourite Jonbon worked solo away from Constitution Hill and the handler was happy with what he saw there too.
Although the JP McManus-owned brother to Douvan, who is on track for the Shloer Chase at next month's November meeting, did appear to sweat and looked somewhat on edge at the quiet track.
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Jeriko Du Reponet, Peaky Boy and Jango Baie also stretched their legs in style.
While Henderson confirmed Sir Gino, who recently was the subject of a surge of market support for the Arkle, will stay hurdling 'for the time being'.
Constitution Hill's awful Kempton workout triggered a disastrous run for Henderson last season.
The legendary handler was forced to withdraw almost all his horses from Cheltenham Festival as fears of a debilitating bug swept the yard.
The timing could not have been worse - headlined by serious fears over Constitution Hill's health.
Henderson bounced back at Aintree, where Jonbon won the Grade 1 Melling Chase and Sir Gino extended his unbeaten run by capturing the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle.
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