Constitution Hill takes one more step to racing immortality with easy comeback win at 1-12

CONSTITUTION HILL made a devastating return to action with an easy Christmas Hurdle win at Kempton.

Jockey Nico de Boinville never had to ask the Champion Hurdle hero for any effort as he put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

Winning jockey De Boinville said: “I hope it was worth the wait for everyone. He’s giving me a great spin round.”

Constitution Hill was making his belated return after Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth was cancelled last month.

Trainer Nicky Henderson opted not to run him at Sandown on Tingle Creek weekend in deep ground.

And the wait proved worth it as the greatest hurdler in training – and potentially the best we will ever see – made a scintillating comeback.

He is now as short as 1-3 to claim a second straight Champion Hurdle in March.

And, barring injury or a freak unseating or fall during the race, it seems simply nothing can rival him for speed, grace and soundness of mind.

Rubaud was a valiant runner-up at 15-2 while First Street outran his 33-1 odds.

More to follow.