Alex Hammond blog including the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Rehearsal Chase

Constitution Hill, L’Homme Presse and Edwardstone were forced to pull out of their respective races at Ascot last weekend due to bad weather conditions. The weather has been very bad recently. The climate is changing at an alarmingly fast rate. There was 41mm of rain in the week, but the ground dried out and was too fast for the horses.

Constitution Hill and L’Homme Presse could run in the Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Newcastle this weekend. Edwardstone is likely to start at the beginning of next month. Nicky Henderson has come in for criticism in past for swerving races with his stable stars. He should have used better language after the high-profile withdrawal. Not So Sleepy and Epatante could face off again in a rematch of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle from 12 months ago. It's a nightmare for a trainer to run two horses from the same stable against each other. There are options for Plan C and D, but I hope Constitution Hill goes to Newcastle.

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