Nicky Henderson has revealed the immense anxiety that Constitution Hill is causing him, pledging to make the most significant decision of his professional life by this coming weekend. The nine-year-old gelding has rapidly become the most discussed racehorse since the era of Frankel, with his fanbase expanding dramatically following a breathtaking performance at Southwell last Friday.
The Southwell Spectacle and Its Aftermath
Henderson described that swaggering victory over a mile-and-a-half on the flat as one of his greatest experiences in racing. However, the sheer style of that win has created considerable confusion about Constitution Hill's future path. The central dilemma is whether the horse should attempt to reclaim the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10 or transition permanently away from jump racing.
Public Property and Unprecedented Interest
While Henderson is no stranger to handling horses that feel like public property, having experienced this with the mighty Sprinter Sacre a decade ago, even he has been astonished by the level of public and media interest generated since the Southwell trip. The trainer finds himself genuinely torn over the correct course of action.
Constitution Hill has fallen in three of his last four starts over hurdles, and another tumble could have catastrophic consequences. Yet, the Michael Buckley-owned gelding possesses the extraordinary capacity to deliver one of Cheltenham's most memorable days if he were to triumph in the Champion Hurdle.
The Trainer's Emotional Conflict
'It's been staggering,' Henderson admitted. 'That was one of the most extraordinary nights. It was surreal, followed by intense press and television coverage the next day. I think it's wonderful what a horse can create; if that's what racing can do, then we are very lucky indeed.'
'I'm sitting on this guy that is now causing the biggest headache of my life – but he also created one of the great days of my whole term in this office. It was extraordinary. It's not straightforward. If he was dead dull and plain and just won another Champion Hurdle, then another, it would be boring.'
'In a funny way, he is the most boring horse in the world. He's entertaining, yes, but if you lived with him, you would say he leads a very boring life because it would be so predictable. He's now predictable at falling over! He's a crazy animal.'
The Decision-Making Process
Henderson was at Kempton on Tuesday, overseeing workouts for several Cheltenham contenders including the outstanding Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite Old Park Star. A crucial workout at his Seven Barrows yard on Wednesday for Constitution Hill should provide greater clarity about the horse's condition and readiness.
'We'll do something with Constitution Hill and then Michael and I have got to sit down, it's as simple as that,' Henderson explained. 'Because of the overwhelming interest, we have to make a definitive decision. It's impossible at the moment. Everybody has an opinion. I have two great piles of paper – actually four – telling me how to school him over the years, what to jump and what not to jump.'
'The post boxes are rammed full! I promise you it's 50-50. Every day I change my mind, but we have to say one way or the other. Will it be by the weekend? Yes.'
The Flat Racing Possibility
The trainer acknowledged that the Southwell performance has opened up potential flat racing opportunities for Constitution Hill. 'The one thing he did do the other night is open up some sort of Flat career. The only thing that's stupid about it is why did the idiotic trainer not realise this five years ago? Then it would be simple.'
As the racing world awaits Henderson's verdict, the tension continues to build around this career-defining choice that will determine whether Constitution Hill returns to jump racing glory or embarks on a new chapter on the flat.
