The start of 2025 hasn't been the best of starts for Nicky Henderson and star hurdler Constitution Hill as a second major festival fall raises concerns over his recent jumping.
The once unbeaten face of racing suffered a bad fall in the Cheltenham festival back in early March, but with a much anticipated Aintree hurdle ahead, Constitution Hill would take on Willie Mullins and Lossiemouth once again as he looked to return to winning ways.
With some concern over some jumping problems dating back to Kempton at the end of last year, Nicky Henderson saw his golden boy fall for the first time at Cheltenham, losing his first race of his career. But with a late entry to the Aintree hurdle crown, Constitution Hill would look to head back to winning ways in a clash for the ages against rival Lossiemouth.
But with the race in full flow, Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth both sitting well, anticipating the final hurdles, it was another early and overly brave jump by Nico De Boinville and Constitution Hill, giving way for Woodhooh who ran a spectacular race to go neck and neck with Paul Townend and Lossiemouth, ultimately giving Lossiemouth one over Constitution Hill, and a fourth straight winner on the day for Willie Mullins.
But with another fall in a major event, Nicky Henderson who spoke after the race stated how it was less than a 1% chance a horse like Constitution Hill could fall, and after a second fall in less than a month, it is becoming a growing concern over his early jumping issue. But with more races to come for Nico and Constitution Hill, it is an issue that needs fixing quickly.
With Jonbon running tomorrow it is another chance for Nico De Boinville and Nicky Henderson to prove they still have an elite stable, but with bigger issues on their hands in the coming days, a big training issue with Constitution Hill will be bound to be worked on soon. Despite running really solid and consistent races in Cheltenham and Aintree this year, the former invincible horse will need some serious summer training to return to the big stages next season.
Comments