As the 2024 season is in full swing, horse racing icon Constitution Hill was set for an exhilarating ride later this month at Cheltenham. After a six-month-long gap, the seven-year-old last rode to triumph on December 26, 2023, and was looking to bolster his already stellar hurdle record. However, in a significant update, the British-bred racehorse will now miss the highly anticipated contest.

Cheltenham will hold several races on January 27, and Constitution Hill was drafted in for the Unibet Hurdle. While he boasts an excellent hurdle record, the Grade 1 winner must wait slightly longer for the next victory.

Update on Constitution Hill

In a significant update posted on X, trainer Nickey Henderson announced the absence of Constitution Hill in January’s Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham racing. Henderson revealed that his star horse wasn’t up to the mark at last week’s routine scope, and thus, the decision was made not to take any “foolish” risk. “Unfortunately Constitution Hill will not be able to run in the Unibet Hurdle @CheltenhamRaces next week due to an unsatisfactory scope. This does not affect any plans beyond Trials Day,” he captioned the unfortunate announcement.

Constitution Hill has raced at Hurdles till now in his illustrious career and has emerged victorious in all. The United Hurdle is scheduled to be the fifth race on the Cheltenham card, with the winner taking $77,910 as prize money. While the entries haven’t been received yet for the race, Henderson is expected to line up another of his horses for the prestigious Grade 2 contest. Constitution Hill raced to a picture-perfect triumph at the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle earlier on Christmas.

Constitution Hill stars in Grade 2 horse racing contest on Boxing Day

Nicky Henderson’s star horse was returning to action after riding last in April 2023. As the Boxing Day action started, the Hurdle specialist never looked out of touch. Constitution Hill breezed to an easy 17-length victory in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle. He earned a winning prize of around $80,000, taking his career earnings to over $800,000.

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Constitution Hill had defeated stablemate Epatante in his last race in the Fighting Fifth, and this time, he efficiently managed to beat the likes of Rubaud (second), First Street (third), Black Poppy (fourth), and Sceau Royal (fifth). As he misses the Unibet Hurdle, the National Hunt’s racing sensation will now direct the lineup in the Champion Hurdle in March to defend his crown.

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