Constitution Hill next race: When is the Champion Hurdle?

It’s fair to say Constitution Hill is established as the top dog in the National Hunt game after an all-conquering 2022/23 campaign.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star comprehensively landed the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle to add to the Supreme and Tolworth titles won in his novice hurdling season.

The prospect of going chasing in a bid to emulate Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup heroine Dawn Run was floated by connections, although Constitution Hill remains over sticks for the time being.

The latest horse racing odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise everything you need to know about Constitution Hill’s next race is below.

Constitution Hill next race

Constitution Hill was set to return to the track in the ChampionHurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday, March 12 – but a poor racecourse gallop at Kempton was followed by a dirty scope that has seen connections rule their star out of the Festival.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “Very sadly, we are going to have to admit defeat in the battle to get Constitution Hill ready for the Champion Hurdle and therefore have to declare that he will not be running there this year.

“He has undoubtedly improved over the weekend and seems noticeably brighter than he was at the end of last week, and I really do think he was much perkier when ridden this morning. Unfortunately, the all-important blood test shows that although the figures have improved they are quite a way from being satisfactory for a horse to commence serious training and race in a week’s time.

“There are three significant markers on the blood test, all of which have come down since Thursday’s sample, but are still raised enough to indicate that he has not fully recovered from whatever was ailing him. The only way to continue the improvement is not to stress him and he obviously cannot run in these Olympic Games if he’s not trained sufficiently.

“This is very sad for all of us and particularly Michael but it is in everybody’s best interests that we ensure we have a fit and healthy Constitution Hill to win back his crown next year. As no further bulletins will be required I would just like to say how much we have appreciated everybody’s support and messages over the last week.”

Constitution Hill could make his next appearance of a disrupted season in the AintreeHurdle at Aintree on Thursday, April 11 or the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday, May 3. 

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Constitution Hill 2023/24 season results

Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) – 1/5 by 9½l Rubaud