Trainer Nicky Henderson has declared he is under 'no pressure' as his star hurdler Constitution Hill prepares for a highly anticipated showdown with the young pretender The New Lion this weekend.
The Stage is Set for Newcastle Showdown
The clash will take place in Saturday's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, a race for which five horses have been entered. This meeting marks the first time these two contenders will face each other on the track.
Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, was once an undefeated superstar of National Hunt racing. However, last season saw a dramatic downturn in form. He fell as the 1-2 favourite in the Champion Hurdle last March, fell again at Aintree the following month, and could only manage a fifth-place finish in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Road to Recovery and Rivalry
In response to this poor run, Henderson revealed he gave the eight-year-old a rigorous MOT at the start of this season, even sending him to the 'equine equivalent of Specsavers'. The trainer reports the horse is now in a much better place than last year, when he couldn't even get him to the Newcastle race.
Constitution Hill demonstrated his well-being with a strong early-season gallop at Newbury. Jockey Nico de Boinville was reportedly smiling after his final piece of work, which Henderson takes as a very positive sign.
His main challenger, The New Lion, comes into the race with impressive credentials, having won the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The betting markets reflect how close this contest is expected to be.
The Betting and Other Contenders
William Hill currently has Constitution Hill as the 5-1 third favourite for next year's Champion Hurdle, behind Willie Mullins' mare Lossiemouth and The New Lion.
For the Fighting Fifth itself, bookmaker Coral has the two main protagonists virtually inseparable, pricing both Constitution Hill and The New Lion at 11-8. The other entries include Willie Mullins' Anzadam at 3-1, the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace at 20-1, and the supplemented Nemean Lion at 33-1.
Henderson confirmed that Constitution Hill will travel to Newcastle on Friday, with plans to send another horse to keep him company. The trainer himself will be at Newbury to oversee his runner in the Coral Gold Cup, while owner Michael Buckley will be in attendance at Newcastle for the big race.
