Michael Buckley opens up to me on a ‘stressed’ Nicky Henderson and our ultimate goal for Constitution Hill

11 months ago 54

JUMPS sensation Constitution Hill will be campaigned to try and make history and become the first horse to land the Champion Hurdle a ‘pretty cool’ four times.

“That’s what I would like him to try and do,” swashbuckling owner Michael Buckley told me while travelling in Chile.

PA
We won’t see Constitution Hill until Cheltenham Festival… but he’ll go for history in the Champion Hurdle[/caption]

“No horse has won the Champion Hurdle four times and if he did he’d be the most successful hurdler of all time. Then it would be for others to decide if he’s the best.”


My Saturday Nap

Oh So Grand (3.10 Lingfield)

Simon and Ed Crisford’s four-year-old filly can make it a hat-trick on the all-weather under the consistent Jack Mitchell


Due to abandoned meetings and a slight setback, Constitution Hill has only been seen once this season, scoring a bloodless success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

It’s anticipated that after this year’s Festival he will have just one more run either at Aintree or Punchestown.

The situation has meant racing fans have been left wondering what the ultimate goal is for the sport’s outstanding performer, who slammed Ireland’s leading hurdler State Man last March.

At one time it was suggested Constitution Hill might go chasing and try and emulate legend Dawn Run, who was unique in landing a Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.

But that idea has been scrapped.

Buckley continued: “With the benefit of hindsight I shouldn’t have suggested chasing.

“But at the time it was something we were genuinely thinking about.

“However, after his win at Aintree over two and a half miles it was unlikely he would stay further over fences.

“It would be pretty cool to win the Champion Hurdle four times.

“But the dream today is to win the Champion Hurdle in March.

“Then if we do that we will dream of 2025. People have to remember these creatures are living animals.

“We are not dealing with machinery. Anything can go wrong. He might make a mistake.”

Five horses have won the Champion Hurdle on three occasions, namely Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then and Istabraq.

The latter, owned by JP McManus, was favourite to bang in a fourth Champion in 2002 but showed just what a task it is when pulled up early.

Jockey Charlie Swan said at the time: “I jumped the first and his action went.

“I jumped the second and thought he might get a bit better but he didn’t, and I just thought, for the good of the horse, to pull him up.”

Istabraq was retired after the race.

Constitution Hill was being considered for the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 27, but was scratched with a bad scope.

Buckley concluded: “Nicky was very stressed about the scope when he called — it’s all harder on him as he’s with the horse every day.

“I told him not to worry at all and if he’s not right just run him when he is.

“I said that we are just so fortunate to have the joy of a horse like Constitution Hill. That he shouldn’t get stressed about it.”

It should be about 11C at Lingfield on Sunday which is where I am heading to bring you the best interviews from the track on ITV.

It will be awesome to get back jumping after a freezing week, and there’s much to look forward to including the re-scheduled Lightning Novices’ Chase set to feature Djelo against recent Kempton winner Master Chewy as well as Pembroke and Authorised Speed, JPR One and Matata.

So is the main event, the Fleur De Lys Chase (3.00) in which the brothers Dan and Harry Skelton team up with Protektorat.

Classwise he will be hard to stop, but Fugitif, the December Gold Cup hero, will try and come late under Gavin Sheehan while the contest also marks the return of L’Homme Presse, the former Brown Advisory winner who has been off the track since December 2022 when unseating in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Good luck to the Venetia Williams contender.

The meltdown has been much needed, and tomorrow the jumps action is enough to warm any cockles. Yeeehaaa!

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