Constitution Hill in 'frightening' pre Cheltenham display as superstar lights up Nicky Henderson’s face

Beaming Nicky Henderson says special horse Constitution Hill is bang on Champion Hurdle course after a frightening workout at Kempton.

The jumping superstar heads to the Cheltenham Festival in a fortnight looking to regain his crown. In stark contrast to a year ago when he was ruled out of the big Festival showdown after a weak workout, Constitution Hill dazzled on the Polytrack surface.

The Michael Buckley-owned eight-year-old is unbeaten in 10 starts under Rules and will be bidding to regain his title having been forced to bypass the contest in 2024. Regular rider Nico de Boinville worked Constitution Hill with stable companions Aston Martini and That’s Nice.

Henderson smiled: “From Nico’s face, my face and Michael’s face I think you can tell it’s a different day. That’s him and he was good to watch really. Frightening to watch actually.

“We have been so happy with him. You just have to blank out last year. We knew before we came here last year that the horses weren’t flying and it was going to be harder to get through. Whereas today everything has gone perfectly.

“It was great watching him today and I am glad you [the media] are all here. You can make your own minds up. If the media hadn’t been here on this day last year nobody would have believed me what happened!

“There won’t be much more now until The Festival. Nico sat on him on Friday and that was to decide whether to come here. I was in two minds but Nico said I think he will enjoy it and it will be fun.

“That really will do him now. It’s two weeks to go and we won’t to do much more with him this week. He’ll jump some hurdles on Monday or Tuesday of next week and I’d say he’ll have one more gallop on our grass.

“The other two gallopers today just did their own