Henderson backing Constitution Hill to make Champion point

Nicky Henderson is pleased it is time for the talking to stop and the action to unfold as looks to silence any remaining doubters by regaining his crown in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

The Seven Barrows superstar looked unbeatable when winning the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 22 lengths and was similarly dominant when dismissing State Man by nine in the Champion Hurdle the following year.

There have been a few bumps in the road since, with a lung infection ruling him out of a Festival defence 12 months ago, but he has returned this winter with further triumphs in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials day in January to extend his unblemished record to 10.

Some still question whether Nico de Boinville’s mount can possibly as good as he was a couple of seasons ago, but Henderson’s faith is unshakeable.

“He’s done everything right and, touch wood, we have had a relatively uncomplicated prep and here we go. We’re nearly at the time where it’s in his and Nico’s hands and what will be will be,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough because the Irish are going to take us on all week and they’re not coming for the fun of it.

“I’m pretty happy he is the same as what he always was, I know some people don’t think he is but I don’t see why. Everyone is happy and his schooling the other day was brilliant.”

Constitution Hill was a 1-12 favourite for his latest visit to Cheltenham in late January and duly obliged, although he gave his many supporters a heart-stopping moment at the final flight.

Henderson admitted he was feeling the nerves heading to Prestbury Park that day, adding: “I wasn’t that fussed at Kempton to be honest with you because I thought he could get beaten, but from my point of view I hated Cheltenham the other day – jeepers creepers, that absolutely killed me!

“It was sort of a no-win situation because he had to be very good, which he was, although he kept everyone on their toes by trying to destroy a hurdle!

“It does put the pressure on us a little bit, but he was great and certainly enjoyed himself.”

The eight-year-old enjoyed a hero’s welcome on his return to the winner’s enclosure in January and there are likely to be even greater scenes if he can become only the third horse to regain the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday after Comedy Of Errors and Hurricane Fly.

Henderson said: “He got a great reception after the Unibet Hurdle, which shows National Hunt racing in a great light and to be fair, the crowd at Kempton was fantastic as well. I think they were pleased to see him back, weren’t we all?

“At Cheltenham, the last time I saw that sort of crowd was in Sprinter Sacre’s day and that is a very, very special thing.

“It’s great for National Hunt racing, people do love these horses, and it just shows that while a five-runner race with a 1-12 shot for some people is a tragedy, for most people it was something fantastic.”