"He will need to be 100%" | EXCLUSIVE Constitution Hill update from Nicky Henderson!

Nicky Henderson offered a latest update on superstar Constitution Hill after disappointing workout which rocked the Unibet Champion Hurdle market and racing in general.
The undoubted superstar of the National Hunt world was at Kempton Park on Tuesday morning, as the Seven Barrows trainer put the finishing touches to his Cheltenham Festival squad.
But Henderson was left “in shock” at what Constitution Hill produced, and he subsequently scoped badly. Matt Chapman visited Seven Barrows to find out the latest on Thursday.

[@kerrybogdanski1027]

I did a season 30 years ago at this mans yard and he's the nicest man and so loves and knows all his horses, if he says he's not right, he genuinely isn't right. I hope he comes right for his lovely generous trainers sake!

[@paulconey252]

Why didn't he pull out all his horse for the last 6 months they have been running like goats.did he not know then.dimentia !!!

[@GRMS66]

Fair play to Nicky. I don’t think punters can ask for any more than that level of transparency. Kudos to NH. 👏👏

[@paulconey252]

Grms66 what are you bubbling about fair play to Nicky?ffs he's a nuisance.

[@GRMS66]

@@paulconey252 you’re not very smart are you Paul? I can’t help you with that.

[@paulconey252]

@GRMS66 Obviously I'm not when I replied to you

[@nadefodder2874]

I went on a stable tour many years ago and he has been my favourite trainer ever since, he always refers to his horses as people and treats them with such respect that it is hard not to love the man, he is the most genuine man in racing and i have the utmost respect for him and the work he has done these many years.

[@mattw2126]

fair play to nicky letting cameras see him

[@kevinbeck6785]

Good Luck to Nicky and the yard to get him fit 🤞🤞

[@Imastatman]

Good luck, nicky. I hope he gets there for you..

[@richardhayday3526]

How people criticize Nicky is just beyond me...he obviously cares for hes horses unlike some...lets the public in today which he doesn't have to do...come on people... honestly.."good luck" to all at the yard ...what will be ..will be...

[@mikecramp6383]

Unfortunately he’s criticised by those seeing a betting banker and who don’t care for the horses welfare.

[@user-rt9je9of1w]

He isn't criticised for treatment of horses, he is criticised for not running top horses enough. It's not just him. A lot of trainers don't run top horses these days. Not that long ago they'd run way more, minimum of 4-5 runs a season, normally 3-4 before Cheltenham. Nowadays it's 2-3, 1-2 before Cheltenham, and they're saved for the spring. Not their fault, it's just facilities today are top notch at home so they don't need to run for fitness. If there was something to encourage these horses to run more, perhaps something like a bonus for running in the trials it'd help. Then again there is no money in National Hunt racing, prize money is woeful and is due to get a lot worse in the near future. Anyway, this is what people criticise trainers for, including Henderson. We want to see the horses as much as possible before they retire or fall and break a leg. Anything can happen in this game, you have half ton monsters jumping six foot fences. I will never ever forgive Mullins for what happened to Vautour. Gold Cup horse in a poxy Ryanair chase. He acknowledged he got it wrong and would make good by the horse the following season. Vautour died in a freak accident whilst on his summer grass. Too little, too late. Mullins is awful for not running horses where they should be running. They're not machines, they're only here for a fleeting few years and we, as racing fans and punters, want to see them running, the best vs the best, as much as they possibly can.

[@lizbignell7813]

A real horseman or woman puts the horse’s welfare above everything. Well done, Mr Henderson.

[@janetmarshall7171]

I so hope that Champion Constitutional Hill will be able to compete in The Cheltenham Festival!! Mr. Henderson is hopeful, but if he is not ready?? Then we all will have to wait for another day!! Hopefully, he will feel better!!❤😊

[@MultiArkle]

A great honest trainer who anyone would be lucky to have a horse with

[@conoromalley5317]

Henderson is a class act, hope he was the champ fit and ready to go 🤞🙏

[@mattrogers6487]

I think State Man has improved since last year and whilst I still think CH is a better horse, I suspect that he would need to be 100% to see of the attention of the Mullins runner.

[@amywalker209]

All the very best to all. ❤

[@shaunwoods8482]

Fingers crossed for you nicky ❤

[@anthonyfieldhouse9691]

He gets a lot of stick but I think he is a marvelous trainer and a very caring man

[@jamesmuddiman8374]

Best and mist honest trainer in the World

[@geoffreybath7845]

Get well soon constitution hill hopefully your get the all clear come Monday morning

[@mrganddrlove]

Get well soon champ!

[@SallyMerrick-bz4cq]

Do hope he will be OK. Such an amazing horse.😊😅

[@EwenBarry-qx4vy]

A pure gentleman people have to cop on to themselves horses get sick like anyother animals hope he makes cheltenham but if he don't this not the end off the world horse comes first not punters

[@dreamsreselling7215]

Absolutely well said .

[@thomascooper1144]

Conny has every chance of running because time is still very much on his side, I saw a clip of Ruby the other day saying Vautour wasn’t even going to run in the Ryanair until he produced a good piece of work the Monday before Cheltenham and the rest is history.

[@Jason-cutter]

He didn’t have wrong bloods and mucus tho Willie just wasn’t happy and look wot it did to him was never the same and retired a month later!!! Some people eh🙈🙈

[@nawazstow]

Different class this horse is special

[@lockoshocko]

Completely overrated ! ATM a good one, and probably a great one considering what he did last year but this is typical Henderson trying to keep his unbeaten record intact .Mullins said state man wasn't 100% last year. Reading between the lines CH is OK but not 100%

[@mwesty1]

Come on consti ❤

[@paulconey252]

I think taking on a horse like state man at maybe only 99% fit is madness .

[@RogerCross-ow3bw]

Don't risk him best horse iv ever seen

[@kurman4749]

Constitution Hill will definitely need to be 100% for the Champion Hurdle. If he's not then State Man will win the race. I would rather see Constitution Hill miss the race than go to Cheltenham and get well beaten.

[@Akastrap]

Constitution hills there like, pops ill beat that lot in my slippers and pjs stop being over protective 😂 On a serious note tho gotta love nicky doing whats best for his stable stars

[@jasonward5205]

Nicky your a top man for letting us no cheered me up a little bit my 4/7 will be massive if he runs 😊

[@marttyler2569]

I absolutely lumped on at 4/7 lol I think he will run

[@neilpalmer1722]

I've the house on at that price if he runs he wins IMO

[@1888gp]

@@marttyler2569what a loser

[@user-le8ll3kh8c]

4/7 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elaineambrose7413]

Nicky will know if he’s right or not ! It’s no good ruining his good reputation ❤

[@Essydyk]

Hopefully he gets him there in A1 shape if just for the race itself as a spectacle but even more so for the horses aura. The CH would go from what many would think is a procession to being the most anticipated race of the year - when NDB pushes the button is there any turbo? Seemingly the blood sample results wasn't too positive so it must be 50/50.

[@edwardferry8247]

Bless him 🍎🐴… I would be phoning in sick. 🤧

[@MrPhilysis1]

Beautiful animal. 😊

[@bigfan2710]

Fair play Nicky. It is sort of stating the obvious, but it has to be the case that CH needs ot be 100% in order to run. Racing is fun for the punter but there is no sport unless the horses are 100% fit and ready to run. Fingers crossed CH is able to run at Cheltenham, but if not there will be other races in the future.

[@vincnet1982]

Outside of the CH and state man who else is likely to run at this point?

[@user-wf3tu5ur5u]

Good horse

[@fatafehisuka6586]

CH, State Man & Luccia for me 🌶

[@JonJonJonJonJonJonJonJon]

See ye at Aintree then Ascot 👊

[@dreamsreselling7215]

Festival winners totalling 73 and won multiple grade ones NJH is a racing legend and is putting the heath of the horse first ❤. These people who have there doll money on horses are talking out their pockets .

[@richardmurrin8573]

it would make you think twice about betting on him

[@cjdale9149]

Hes ready..

[@chrismiller6317]

You can’t put 110% into 100% FACT!!!!!!!

[@kevinbrogan4844]

he wont let horse run if it dangers his horse but that horse is the best hurdler i have ever seen would prob win even with a flu

[@kurman4749]

I agree with you that Constitution Hill is the best hurdler ever. But I wouldn't run him in the Champion Hurdle if he's not fit, and I don't think Nicky Henderson will risk him if he's not fit enough to do himself justice .

[@alanedwards6968]

He wraps the horses in cotton wool,

[@kurman4749]

And that stupid comment is the reason you're not a trainer of racehorses.

[@careyroberts3924]

Nicky pulling out all the stops to get his odds lengthened 🙂

[@paulrichards6894]

that gallop was disturbing

[@mattrogers6487]

Any video of the workout on YT?

[@paulrichards6894]

cant remember where i saw it but the 2 were upsides and he was a good 200 yards behind them....think i read sir gino was one of them@@mattrogers6487

[@paulrichards6894]

@@mattrogers6487 if he wins in a fortnight it will be the greatest piece of training of all time

[@kevinkenny6975]

You're an ignoramus. The owners don't need the money. Wish people like you would concentrate on another sport

[@user-ny9nd7iu2s]

he a great horse but im still backing against him Mullins stateman is a class horse something is telling me constitution hill will mess up sooner or later

[@kevinkenny6975]

Get real. State Man couldn't live with The Hill last year and even if The Hill runs you won't get much of a price

[@xua23]

😂😂.....waiting for messing up...that speaks.loads for a CLASS HORSE

[@user-ny9nd7iu2s]

@@kevinkenny6975 look at how many off Nicky top horses struggle at Cheltenham the second time around finnie rainbow, sprinter sacra, shishskin? I ain't taking the gamble on a 1/4 odds on horse that will be pulled up in the race

[@user-ny9nd7iu2s]

I got stateman at 5/1 in a treble good enough price for me

[@user-ny9nd7iu2s]

@@xua23 there no such thing as a dead cert in horse racing specially at Cheltenham only take a second to lose focus don't have to mention Annie power 🤔

[@AnthonyKeegan-pe9ku]

Stateman might beat him lreland

[@HakunaMatata-oq6ht]

Nicky is finding excuse to skip champion hurdle and intending to run on Jump finale day in Sandown 😀

[@danpalmer7676]

Oh dear..they wouldn't even bother getting out of bed to run in the Sandown race

[@ToonFan62]

Who needs the main race on the first day at Cheltenham when Sandown is on offer? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@kevinkenny6975]

Another idiotic comment

[@anjou6497]

Nicky does'nt find excuses, he's above that sort of crap.

[@roberttalbot6397]

​@@danpalmer7676it's going to aintree in April 2 half miles

[@user-rt9je9of1w]

Horse looks ill.

[@eamonnoneill1340]

All this looks like someone getting their excuses in early in cause things go wrong next week

[@marttyler2569]

Here come the Mullins fan club, pipe down

[@Essydyk]

Yes he faked the bad gallop - gave him 10 pies in the horse box just before they started.

[@Martin.Lewis..]

😂😂😂😂😂 #thatsall

[@kurman4749]

Does that mean you will not be posting any more of your asinine comments?

[@aman2340]

his legs are gone from under him he's defo in pain and unbalanced

[@kurman4749]

I was just thinking the same about you!

[@aman2340]

bit gay to be thinking about me when i have no clue who you are. @@kurman4749

[@user-lp3uu9ir4h]

Oh shut up you lot anyone would think that Constitution Hill was the only horse on our planet , Ed Chamberlain wants to marry the friggin Horse and this is so over the top , boring boring boring he has a cold ffs

[@johnedwards2117]

Don't look gd to me looks terrible

[@RC-sf6ge]

Just retire him already

[@ronaldmasters4031]

Being in racing for many years, I’ve ridden out on many occasions, horses are NOT machines, they all have off days, the very best wishes to Con Hill, and the team, but if he is below 100%, he will NOT race,

[@thomasireland1770]

Nick needs to let this horse 🎠 go too many, many niggle things his fusing about if this horse is 90% on day he would still win ,state man would have to be 110%(there's Notting this season there's Notting I've seen from state man to get me excited sadly.

[@mattrogers6487]

State Man is an improved horse this year... there's only a few lbs between them on ratings. That 10% is the difference between winning and losing - everyone judging this 10% on past performances. CH isn't going to stay the level he has been forever and unfortunately there's always something else that comes along and takes the crown. To say CH could be sub par and beat State Man is just wrong.

[@musicmike1972]

If he is 90% on the day health-wise I don't think Henderson will be thinking "can we run him and get away with it?" he will put the horse first and save him for another day. It's about the horse not just one race.

[@kurman4749]

@@musicmike1972 Precisely!