3 weeks ago
4
NICKY HENDERSON has provided a positive update around star hurdler Constitution Hill just days after his fitness scare.
The seven-year-old was found to be lame by his gutted trainer 48 hours after his lacklustre racecourse gallop at Newbury.
PAWhen speaking at Ascot over the weekend, Hendo said they had located the source of the issue, with a bruised pastern in his lower leg pressing on a nerve and causing him some pain.
On Saturday he said he had no idea on the amount of time it would take the horse to recover, saying it could be anywhere between three days and three weeks.
Thankfully, it looks closer to the former, and in an update on social media the six-time champion trainer said the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner was moving much more freely on Monday morning.
He will not be fit in time to run in this weekend’s Fighting Fifth, but Hendo is hopeful he will be fit enough to run at Kempton on Boxing Day over Christmas.
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The horse won the race last season but has not been seen since having spent several months battling various health issues.
He said: “He’s miles, miles better this morning. I seriously hope we can get back on the road so we can continue his preparation.
“Obviously the Fighting Fifth is out, but the Christmas Hurdle is still realistic. He won it last year, so let’s hope that is where we can get him out so we can get his great career back on track.
“An MRI scan identified a bit of inflammation in his pastern that was touching the nerve, and that was what was making him sore.
“I’m glad to report that from being noticeably lame on Friday and Saturday, he’s miles better this morning and we’re starting some gentle walking exercises.”
Henderson will still be represented in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, with his exciting four-year-old Sir Gino set to run in Constitution Hill’s place.
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