Constitution Hill: Hurdling Sensation A ‘Much Happier Paard’ this season, Nicky Henderson tells Unbridled | Racing news

Trainer Nicky Henderson told the unbridled Podcast Constitution Hill is a polyhopper horse while he is taking off his preparation to win back his champion Hurdle Crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Despite the stumbling at the last in the Unibet Ondernemnis on Saturday in Cheltenham, the Best Two-Mijl Hurdler of Great Britain claimed an easy class two triumph on Cheltenham Trials Day and now focuses on champion Hurdle back in Prestbury Park in March .

Speaking with Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan on Unbridled, the Seven Barrows man said: “He suddenly realized that he is very important, he really believes that now. Kempton was great and the crowd actually gets him going. He is not exciting, but it is as if he suddenly got a new state of mind.

“He is a much happier horse than ever before and he loves the new house that we have built it. I just think he enjoys life a lot. He is good, that’s the most important thing.”

When asked whether his superstar could ever go back to the heights of his 2022-23 campaign when he won the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle, Hennendenson was not convinced.

He said: “It would be difficult to be better than what he was. In the supreme and champion nuisance you couldn’t imagine on Saturday was the same, but with the necessary difference to the opposition he did one thing and they pay attention to their own company .

“He’s order and enjoy it – that’s the most amazing one, but I think he is moving very well. He has that Swagger about him and the crowd was just brilliant – pre -race and then.

The exploits of Constitution Hill have seen many spectators compare him with the Great Sprinter Sacre, who hit one gold nine times for Henderson during his heyday from 2012 to 2016.

Comparison of the two noted Henderson: “He is a long, long road in form and presence of what Sprinter Sacre was, but Sprinter knew that he was the best looking horse in England, as well as the best horse. Constitution Hill is not best Looking horse in England, but he gets that kind of idea that people really like him, it’s like “Oh, look at me!” “

A rare day when Constitution Hill did not look at his sparkling best during a public canter next to Sir Gino last fall, who made comparisons with an equally bad work in Kempton in the run -up to the Cheltenham Festival 2024.

Looking back, Henderson said: “I can give up public gallops and I try to be good if he is not racing to show that he is alive and good. I am very happy that we did that in public last year because it is such a catastrophe I’m not sure if anyone would have believed me.

“To be honest, the Newbury Gallop was not that bad because I tried to show that everyone is looking forward to it, [Sir] Gino is a very smart horse. That is what Constitution hill took in Newbury, there was nothing wrong with him – the other horse was just a bit more ahead than he, but he is very good. “

After success on Trials Day, Henderson will give his champion Hurdle Hope a short break before the preparation for the Hurdle really champion starts – against the wishes of Jockey Nico de Boinville.

“Nico left him last week and said:” This horse is too fresh, keep working him, don’t give him time free! “He has free this week, I can assure you, whether you are Nico or Paddy [Brennan].

All roads lead to the game spirit for Sir Gino, with Jango Baie ready for Sandown test

Despite the start of his season about obstacles in Fighting Fifth, Sir Gino has so far enjoyed a great campaign about fences for Seven Barrows.

When asked whether the upcoming game -Spirit -class could be a potential next test, Henderson replied: “I think that is the plan, I would like to go to Newbury and he is in good shape.”

Another of the charges of Henderson showing promises is Jango Baie, who shone during the seasonal appearance during the December meeting of Cheltenham and defeated the will of Springwell Bay and Caldwell Potter.

Looking ahead, Henderson noted: “[The Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase] has been his target completely and hopefully we will be there [at Sandown] On Saturday. “

East India dock to test Lulamba in Triumph

James Owen’s East India Dock emerged as the most important challenger of Henderson’s Lulamba for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with a striking success in a test at Ascot, who recently attracted the attention of the six -time champion trainer.

‘I was impressed by him [East India Dock]. We have to do our thing, they are going to do theirs. He sets a good pace and if he will do that in March, he will give them a nice lead and I hope we are on his tail to take a look and see what is happening.

When asked if he had others in the garden, he could not wait to run, the 74-year-old replied: “The other who comes out is a happiness for the residence. That form is very good! When he won on New Year’s Day he defeated Nigel Twiston-Davies horse [Gowel Road] Giving 6 pounds and that came out and won on Saturday. I think that form is quite solid. We take that he remains three miles for confidence, so he did not walk on Saturday, but I think he will be in the comparison. “

What is the last about Palladium?

All eyes were aimed at Huntingdon on January 23 when € 1.4 million first flew the flag for Henderson for Henderson and attract the colors of Lady Bamford. Despite a considerable amount of Nay-Sayers on social media after the victory, his trainer was satisfied with what he saw.

He said: “We were very happy with him. It is one of those foolish situations because of price tag. If you remembered years ago that Jonbon ran, they had to mention what he cost. You will now notice that they never mention what he he cost, because he was cheap “

“Palladium has to run again. He is a big foal and they take a lot more work – he is pretty stuffy. I was even talking to the previous trainers who said he wasn’t good, he only came to the interest.

Before Matt Chapman hung up the phone, Matt Chapman squeezed a final question about the possibility that One Day Constitution Hill Flat Racing is sending.

Jovial answered Henderson: “We talked about it a few years ago and I said to John Gosden:” Look that we might go for the Gold Cup! ” He thought I was talking about Cheltenham, but I was talking about Ascot!

View Unbidled with Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan entirely on the YouTube channel of Races.