Constitution Hill plans on hold following Fighting Fifth fall

Nicky Henderson is keen to “let the dust settle” following Constitution Hill’s latest fall in Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle, with the Seven Barrows handler pondering the role padded hurdles have played in his stable star’s recent jumping woes.

The 2023 Champion Hurdler was given a clean bill of health on Sunday morning, having come to grief for the third time in his last four starts at Newcastle, but the Lambourn handler admitted there is plenty to consider as connections try to work out the next move in the 10-time winner’s illustrious career.

Henderson told the Press Association: “There’s no decision at all (on future plans). I’ve spoken to Michael Buckley (owner) who had a long day yesterday and we’re going to let the dust settle.

“We’ll go through tomorrow and then we’ve got to think – and we’ve got a lot of thinking to do, obviously.

“There are a lot of options and we’ll think it over and it is very difficult. I don’t know which way we’re going to go at the moment, but we’ve been through it before and we’ll do it again.”

He went on: “Constitution Hill is fine, he might be a bit stiff, but so are a few of them from yesterday and they’ve been in various battles up and down the country.

“He got back last night and is all fine. He’s out in the field having a pick of grass in the sunshine.”

In the immediate aftermath to Constitution Hill’s fall in the north east – which came at the second flight of a dramatic race that also saw Dan Skelton’s The New Lion crash out – Henderson mooted a switch to the Flat as a possible option for a horse that has become a household name and flagbearer for the sport.

The Seven Barrows handler has now suggested it is the use of padded hurdles rather than hurdling itself that is giving him most concern, with all three of Constitution Hill’s falls coming since the changed obstacles came into regular use.

When asked if defending his Christmas Hurdle crown could be an option for his stable star, Henderson added: “I know we like Kempton, but it is those hurdles I would want to avoid more than anything.

“For all the words that have been said from the people who have very kindly rung up trying to advise us, the most common denominator – and I believe they are right – is those padded hurdles, they are horrible.

“The poor The New Lion did the same thing as Constitution Hill yesterday and State Man did the same in the Champion Hurdle, they have all made the same mistake. he trouble is we happen to have done it three times, whereas they have only done it once the poor devils.

“Out of all the people ringing up, by far the most common thing they have said is they should get rid of those hurdles and I couldn’t agree with them more.”