Constitution Hill will face the sternest of examinations on his first run for 12 months up against Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
There has been plenty spoken and written about Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy since he sauntered to an impressive second victory in the Grade One event last year.
Nobody could have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections have been through in the intervening period, so much so that he has seen his position as favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away by Lossiemouth.
First there was the disastrous racecourse gallop at Kempton, when he was subsequently found to be suffering from an infection which would rule him out of Cheltenham, then there was a bout of colic.
Just when Henderson hoped for a clear run with him at the beginning of this season, another racecourse gallop went wrong when he returned home lame from Newbury, meaning he could not run in the Fighting Fifth.
He is fit again now, though, and reportedly firing on all cylinders – which he will need to be against Lossiemouth.
Her only defeat came when meeting traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival, since when she has won the Triumph Hurdle, the International, the Mares’ Hurdle and last time out the Hatton’s Grace.
Lossiemouth dominated in the Hatton’s Grace and is now the Champion Hurdle favourite
Trained by Willie Mullins in the Rich Ricci colours, Lossiemouth is 15lb inferior to Constitution Hill on official ratings, but gets a 7lb mares’ allowance to go with the race fitness she has on her side.
There are only two other runners. James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to Constitution Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino.
Spillane’s Tower tops 11 in King George mix
Grey Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are among 11 runners declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, looks the pick of the home team after being touched off by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in last month’s Betfair Chase.
Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was sublime in landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the King George course and distance 12 months ago, and merits huge respect despite being pulled up at Auteuil last time out.
Il Est Francais impressed everyone with his jumping when winning at Kempton last year
Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate General En Chef, who ran with credit when fourth on his British debut in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin’s supplemented contender Juntos Ganamos also hoping to become the first French-trained winner of the King George since First Gold in 2000.
A formidable Irish contingent is headed by Spillane’s Tower, a dual Grade One-winning novice for Jimmy Mangan last season and narrowly denied by fellow JP McManus-owned rising star Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown a month ago.
Despite concerns about drying ground, Spillane’s Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to the King George field last week. The McManus colours will also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with top amateur Derek O’Connor back on board for the first time since steering him to a 17-length victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Spillane’s Tower and Mark Walsh power on to victory at Fairyhouse
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen also make the journey across the Irish Sea, but last year’s winner Hewick has not been declared, with connections opting to instead run him over hurdles at Leopardstown later in the week.
The 2022 King George hero Bravemansgame bids to regain his crown and provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a record-extending 14th victory in the race.
The field is completed by L’Homme Presse, who makes his first appearance since finishing fourth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will be partnered by Gavin Sheehan, who steered Hewick to glory 12 months ago.