Constitution Hill is odds-on to regain his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown after making a winning return to action in the much-anticipated Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Not seen on the racecourse since winning this race last season and having been laid low by a lung infection, suspected colic and a recent setback after a racecourse gallop in the meantime, the well-backed 5/6 favourite never looked in any danger of defeat.
Settled in third by Nico De Boinville, he went to the front two out.
Main market rival Lossiemouth never looked happy racing in the rear of the field, but came through to chase the winner home but was still two-and-a-half lengths adrift at the line.
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De Boinville told ITV Racing: “He felt fantastic. I think he’s had a bit of blow going to the last so he’s going to improve an awful lot. There’s still a bit of ring-rustiness after being off for a year and all the credit has to go to the governor, that’s some training performance. I’m delighted. It’s been a long time coming but definitely worth the wait.
“I’ve been very, very confident. Two weeks ago I thought we were back in business and said it to the boss. Every since then he’s been consistently pleasing us and I think there’s improvement to come, I really do. Fitness wise that will bring him on no end.”
Henderson added: “Everyone has done their part in the jigsaw. It’s a big squad and it’s been entertaining getting him back and we’ve done a lot of things differently. Some have gone well, some of it’s been a bit of a struggle, but the last three weeks have been very, very good. I’ve never seen him look better.
“There were days it’s been a struggle. The Newbury gallop wasn’t everything we were after and he was forced to miss a week after that and we were forced to miss the Fighting Fifth but were lucky to have a fella on the subs bench for that. From there we had the time to get this in and this worked.”
When asked if he expected Constitution Hill to run again before Cheltenham the trainer said: “I’d like to see how he takes this race. I have to say we’ve been quite hard on him the last three weeks and I’d just like to see what effect it has on him. I’d love to run him again but if he says no, we’ll have to say no and go straight there.”
It was a huge moment for winning owner Michael Buckley to who said: “I’m a big shaky but I’m absolutely thrilled to bits. I couldn’t be happier.
“Nicky tells me what’s going on, he’s a master trainer. There’s no point in running these horses when they’re not right. It’s disappointing for the public who support them and look at this place today, there’s a gigantic crowd here and I’d imagine a proportion of that is due to him coming back. He’s the greatest hurdler I’ll ever own by a long, long, long way.”
Willie Mullins watched on from Leopardstown, where he enjoyed a double, and is adamant Lossiemouth performed below par.
“I was a little disappointed with the run of Lossiemouth. I was disappointed with the way she tackled the first mile and a half of the race and disappointed with the way she went down to the first hurdle,” said the British and Irish champion trainer.
“I was happy enough where she finished after watching her for the first mile – that she finished well. Whether there is something amiss, I would have thought she would have more speed than that and she just looked outpaced over the first mile and a half. I don’t believe that’s what she really is. We’ll see does anything come out in the wash and try to plan our next race, wherever that’ll be.”
Mullins appears happy to stick to the Champion Hurdle route for the time being adding: “It’ll be either back here (for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown) or maybe the International in Cheltenham. I’m not too much worried about the trip, but they are the two options,” he added.
“The International is two miles and here is two miles and they are the only two options, so I’d imagine she’ll be running over two miles. Paul (Townend) felt the same as I did, he was surprised and felt she wasn’t herself. He thought she didn’t race like she normally does. She was a little behind herself for some reason.”
Bookmaker reaction swift
Betfair and Paddy Power now make Nicky Henderson’s charge their 8/11 favourite for the Champion Hurdle. Sky Bet go 4/6 and pushed Lossiemouth out to 7/2 for the same race.
He was becoming the first horse to win the Christmas Grade One feature for a third successive season.
Sky Bet Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "In a race that lived up to expectations, Constitution Hill looked back to his brilliant best. We now go 4/6 for the Champion Hurdle from 15/8.
"Lossiemouth ran very well in defeat and we go 7/2 for the Champion Hurdle and 11/8 for the Mares Hurdle."
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