- Constitution Hill is in line for a surprise return at next month’s Grand National
- He crashed out at Cheltenham Festival during the Champion Hurdle last week
- Trainer Nicky Henderson thinks Constitution Hill should run at Aintree on April 3
Constitution Hill is being considered for a surprise return to action at the Randox Grand National Festival after overcoming his Cheltenham mishap.
Nicky Henderson’s star suffered the first defeat of his 11-race career when crashing out of last week’s Champion Hurdle, having been the odds-on favourite.
The gelding suffered no injuries following the dramatic fall and it was expected that he would be geared up for a first trip to Ireland and a re-match with Golden Ace — the mare who profited from his fall at Prestbury Park — and State Man at Punchestown in May.
But after discussions with owner Michael Buckley, Henderson is now of the opinion that Constitution Hill should run at Aintree on April 3, in a race over two-and-a-half miles that he won in 2023.
Henderson, whose Bhaloo maintained the good stable form when impressively winning at 8-1 at Newbury yesterday, has refused to rule out a trip to Ireland but in a statement on his Unibet blog, he said: ‘After a long chat with Michael Buckley and Nico (de Boinville), we have come to the conclusion that it is likely that we will consider running Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle in two weeks’ time.
‘He is in very good form so it is something that we are certainly looking at. We haven’t schooled him yet, but that will happen next week, and we’ll keep everyone updated as and when we need to.’
Constitution Hill is being considered for a surprise return to next month’s Grand National
Trainer Nicky Henderson thinks he should race in April despite his fall at Cheltenham last week