Nicky Henderson has finally made a decision regarding Constitution Hill’s participation in the upcoming Cheltenham Festival after much speculation. There has been significant debate surrounding the future path of this highly skilled hurdler of the modern era.
Once considered unbeatable, Constitution Hill faced his first defeat in the 2025 Champion Hurdle, falling during the race and subsequently experiencing a series of disappointing performances with falls in three of his last four hurdles. To evaluate his options, Henderson took Constitution Hill to a Flat race at Southwell, where he competed over 1m4f on the all-weather track for the first time.
In a remarkable turnout of over 3,000 spectators on the Friday Night Live event broadcasted by ITV, Constitution Hill secured a convincing victory by a margin of nine and a half lengths, displaying potential as a talented Flat racer.
Despite the positive reception following the Southwell win, Henderson expressed concerns about the risks involved in the upcoming Cheltenham event. He acknowledged that while the victory had presented a significant dilemma, the decision remained uncertain with a ’50-50′ chance.
An ultimate verdict was to be reached by the week’s end following discussions with owner Michael Buckley, with emphasis on Constitution Hill’s performance in a scheduled schooling session in Lambourn. As the odds against him in the Champion Hurdle increased and he was no longer the favorite, Henderson released a statement confirming that Constitution Hill would not be participating in Cheltenham, signaling a potential shift towards focusing on Flat racing and potentially marking the end of his jumping career.
The statement highlighted the careful consideration and emotional investment made by Henderson and Buckley in deciding the horse’s future. It expressed gratitude towards supporters and fans for their overwhelming response and hinted at a new chapter ahead for Constitution Hill in the world of Flat racing.
Constitution Hill’s impressive racing history included ten consecutive hurdle victories, culminating in wins at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2022 and the Champion Hurdle in 2023. Following a setback in 2024 and a fall in the previous year’s race, the decision to forgo Cheltenham marked a significant turning point in the horse’s career trajectory.