Renowned horse trainer Nicky Henderson remains calm and confident as he looks ahead to the upcoming showdown between two talented horses, Constitution Hill and The New Lion, set for this Saturday. Constitution Hill, a former unbeaten star in jumping races, faced setbacks in the previous season with falls at major events like the Champion Hurdle and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Henderson took proactive steps at the beginning of this season by subjecting Constitution Hill to a thorough examination akin to a visit to an equine eye specialist. Despite recent challenges, Constitution Hill is considered the third favorite in the betting for next year’s Champion Hurdle, trailing behind Willie Mullins’ mare Lossiemouth and The New Lion, the rising star who is expected to be a formidable rival in the upcoming BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The stage is set for a thrilling face-off as Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle victor, showcased his form during a recent gallop at Newbury. The New Lion, known for his victory at the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, poses a strong challenge alongside contenders like Anzadam from Willie Mullins’ stable and the current Champion Hurdle titleholder, Golden Ace.
In the betting odds provided by Coral, both Constitution Hill and The New Lion are favored at 11-8, closely followed by Anzadam at 3-1, Golden Ace at 20-1, and Nemean Lion at 33-1. Henderson expressed confidence in Constitution Hill’s preparation, highlighting a successful training session and the positive feedback from jockey Nico de Boinville.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming race, Henderson emphasized the lack of pressure on his end and shared plans for the final preparations leading up to the event. While he will be attending the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, owner Michael Buckley is set to oversee Constitution Hill’s journey to Newcastle for the pivotal race.