Constitution Hill ‘looks fantastic’ ahead of Kempton target

Constitution Hill is faring well in his comeback bid and a return to action in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day is looking increasingly likely.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star has been through the mill with various ailments since winning the race last season, missing the Cheltenham Festival with an infection and then suffering a bout of colic.

His first start of this year was further delayed after he was found to be lame ahead of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, but the injury proved to be fairly innocuous and Henderson was still hopeful he would make Kempton Park.

Those hopes look to have every chance of materialising, and the trainer is not ruling out switching Sir Gino to fences at the same meeting after the four-year-old landed the Fighting Fifth in his stablemate’s absence.

“Everything is going well,” said Henderson of Constitution Hill.

“I can tell you how many days there are to go (until the Christmas Hurdle) and I think we’ve got every chance of being there. I’ve never seen him look better – he looks fantastic.

“He’s got a couple of bits of work to do, I think we’ll get there.

“There is still the possibility Sir Gino could turn up over fences at Kempton. He’s got to go somewhere. It’s all up in the air, so let’s see how we go.

“I wouldn’t say we wouldn’t (run both in the Christmas Hurdle), it’s possible we do.

“I’m still tempted by fences with Sir Gino, as he is a very good jumper. We haven’t schooled him over fences since the Fighting Fifth, we’re thinking about it.”