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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/12/constitution-hill-has-wind-operation-ahead-of-crucial-comeback-season-horse-racing
Nicky Henderson, the trainer of the outstanding hurdler Constitution Hill, said on Thursday that his unbeaten stable star has undergone wind surgery in advance of his much-anticipated return to action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on 30 November.
In a post on X, Henderson reported that Constitution Hill had been one of the star attractions at a stable open day on Wednesday, adding: “Constitution Hill is in particularly good form. He is still on the burly side following his summer holiday, but his work is starting to build up for his intended reappearance in the Fighting Fifth. He has had a wind operation a few weeks ago, which we feel might help him.”
Constitution Hill has raced only once since April 2023, when he won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on 26 December in the middle of a disrupted and frustrating campaign. His horsebox was already well on the way to Newcastle when the Fighting Fifth was called off due to snow on the track, while he missed the chance to defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March because of a respiratory problem. Subsequently Constitution Hill went into hospital with colic, which ruled out a possible run at Punchestown in late April.
The letters “WS” against a horse’s name, to show that it has undergone wind surgery since its most recent start, have become a familiar sight on racecards since the declaration of such operations was made compulsory in 2018.
However, there was little evidence of any wind issues as Constitution Hill was racking up eight straight wins, including seven in Grade One events, without ever coming under serious pressure. As a result, the news that Henderson felt that an operation would “help” his horse came as something of a surprise.
Nicky Henderson, the trainer of the outstanding hurdler Constitution Hill, said on Thursday that his unbeaten stable star has undergone wind surgery in advance of his much-anticipated return to action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on 30 November.
In a post on X, Henderson reported that Constitution Hill had been one of the star attractions at a stable open day on Wednesday, adding: “Constitution Hill is in particularly good form. He is still on the burly side following his summer holiday, but his work is starting to build up for his intended reappearance in the Fighting Fifth. He has had a wind operation a few weeks ago, which we feel might help him.”
Constitution Hill has raced only once since April 2023, when he won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on 26 December in the middle of a disrupted and frustrating campaign. His horsebox was already well on the way to Newcastle when the Fighting Fifth was called off due to snow on the track, while he missed the chance to defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March because of a respiratory problem. Subsequently Constitution Hill went into hospital with colic, which ruled out a possible run at Punchestown in late April.
The letters “WS” against a horse’s name, to show that it has undergone wind surgery since its most recent start, have become a familiar sight on racecards since the declaration of such operations was made compulsory in 2018.
However, there was little evidence of any wind issues as Constitution Hill was racking up eight straight wins, including seven in Grade One events, without ever coming under serious pressure. As a result, the news that Henderson felt that an operation would “help” his horse came as something of a surprise.
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Nicky Henderson: Constitution Hill has had wind surgery - everything is 100 per cent
Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill and his work rider Matty Gill at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill and his work rider Matty Gill at Seven Barrows
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Constitution Hill underwent wind surgery earlier this summer as he prepares for his seasonal return in November.
The unbeaten seven-year-old, who has not been seen in action since a routine victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, will begin his campaign in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on November 30.
A respiratory infection and suspected colic caused Constitution Hill to miss his spring targets, including the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March, and Henderson is hoping the "straightforward procedure" can assist with his breathing for the new campaign.
He said: "A few weeks ago he had wind surgery, which is there as an aid. It’s something which has occurred to us before, but we thought it was a good thing to do now while we had the time in case it reared its ugly head, rather than when we were in training and couldn’t afford the time."
The operation comes after Constitution Hill was moved to a new five-star accommodation at Seven Barrows last month.
Henderson added: "Everyone is very happy. It’s a very straightforward procedure and he was recently scoped to show that everything is 100 per cent. He’s loving his new stable where he spends a lot of the day enjoying his field."
Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (Paddy Murphy) have been given their first targets by Nicky Henderson
Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (Paddy Murphy) have been given their first targets by Nicky Henderson
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
The six-time champion trainer was speaking after a bumper crowd enjoyed a morning in Lambourn as part of National Racehorse Week, which began on September 7 and ends on Sunday.
Henderson added: "We had a large crowd of people and Constitution Hill, along with all the others, is in very good form.
"We had a large and enthusiastic crowd, which was great, and Constitution Hill took his own interest in affairs, as he usually does, whereas Jonbon and Altior, who was also here, just take it all in and love the public and the cameras."
Henderson added: "They’re all in very good form. Jonbon is getting set for the Shloer Chase and Constitution Hill is preparing for the Fighting Fifth, and everything is going according to plan."
Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill and his work rider Matty Gill at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill and his work rider Matty Gill at Seven Barrows
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Constitution Hill underwent wind surgery earlier this summer as he prepares for his seasonal return in November.
The unbeaten seven-year-old, who has not been seen in action since a routine victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, will begin his campaign in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on November 30.
A respiratory infection and suspected colic caused Constitution Hill to miss his spring targets, including the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March, and Henderson is hoping the "straightforward procedure" can assist with his breathing for the new campaign.
He said: "A few weeks ago he had wind surgery, which is there as an aid. It’s something which has occurred to us before, but we thought it was a good thing to do now while we had the time in case it reared its ugly head, rather than when we were in training and couldn’t afford the time."
The operation comes after Constitution Hill was moved to a new five-star accommodation at Seven Barrows last month.
Henderson added: "Everyone is very happy. It’s a very straightforward procedure and he was recently scoped to show that everything is 100 per cent. He’s loving his new stable where he spends a lot of the day enjoying his field."
Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (Paddy Murphy) have been given their first targets by Nicky Henderson
Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (Paddy Murphy) have been given their first targets by Nicky Henderson
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
The six-time champion trainer was speaking after a bumper crowd enjoyed a morning in Lambourn as part of National Racehorse Week, which began on September 7 and ends on Sunday.
Henderson added: "We had a large crowd of people and Constitution Hill, along with all the others, is in very good form.
"We had a large and enthusiastic crowd, which was great, and Constitution Hill took his own interest in affairs, as he usually does, whereas Jonbon and Altior, who was also here, just take it all in and love the public and the cameras."
Henderson added: "They’re all in very good form. Jonbon is getting set for the Shloer Chase and Constitution Hill is preparing for the Fighting Fifth, and everything is going according to plan."
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