Champion trainer Nicky Henderson has been forced to sound the alarm over the wellbeing of his stable star, Constitution Hill, after the hurdler returned an unsatisfactory eye test. The news throws the defence of his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown at next month's Cheltenham Festival into serious doubt.
The seven-year-old, widely regarded as one of the most talented National Hunt horses in a generation, was due to undergo his final piece of serious work at Henderson's Seven Barrows stables in Lambourn. However, the session was abruptly cancelled following the concerning results.
A Tense Wait for Answers
"He had an unsatisfactory eye test this morning, which is obviously very concerning," Henderson stated in a candid update. The trainer confirmed that a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist has been summoned to examine the horse on Monday, leaving connections in a state of anxious suspense over the weekend.
Henderson expressed the collective worry, saying, "We are obviously very worried about him, and we will just have to wait for the vet's verdict on Monday." This unexpected setback has cast a pall over the yard just weeks before the sport's biggest meeting.
Domino Effect on the Stable
The uncertainty surrounding Constitution Hill has a knock-on effect on the entire Henderson team. The trainer revealed that the planned workout for his other Festival hopefuls, including the highly anticipated Shishkin, has also been postponed.
"We were going to work Constitution Hill, Shishkin, and a number of our other Cheltenham horses, but that has been cancelled," Henderson explained. This delay is far from ideal preparation for the entire squad, adding another layer of complication to their Festival plans.
A Nation Holds Its Breath
The potential absence of Constitution Hill from the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, March 12th, would be a monumental blow to the Festival. The horse has been a breathtakingly dominant force, winning all nine of his starts under rules, including a spectacular nine-length victory in last year's Champion Hurdle.
His anticipated return to Prestbury Park was set to be one of the highlights of the four-day event. The racing world will now be holding its breath, awaiting the specialist's diagnosis on Monday, which will determine the fate of a champion.
