Constitution Hill schools over fences as he completes Punchestown prep

Constitution Hill remains on course to run at the Punchestown Festival on Friday after delighting Nicky Henderson in a Sunday morning session over fences at Seven Barrows.

The eight-year-old will travel to Ireland on a recovery mission following falls in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Aintree Hurdle, but Henderson appears more than happy with his well-being.

In a post on X, he said: “Constitution Hill jumped four fences on our Canter Carpet schooling strip this morning with James Bowen on top. Everything went extremely well and I couldn’t be happier with his condition.”

Henderson confirmed last Friday that he had given his stable star the “green light” to head to Punchestown for the Boodles Champion Hurdle, “barring any hiccups” in a weekend spin over obstacles.

It will come as a surprise to many that Constitution Hill jumped fences rather than hurdles under Bowen, who will deputise for sidelined stable jockey Nico de Boinville.

But Henderson added: “Nothing whatsoever should be read into the fact he schooled over fences, he is definitely NOT going down that route, but after discussing it with Nico, Michael (Buckley, owner) and James we decided this was the best thing to do. It was a brave decision but they are only baby fences and we hope it works."

The trainer also issued an upbeat post-race report on Jonbon after he found the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps too strong when bidding for a third victory in Sandown’s Celebration Chase on Saturday.

“I’m pleased to report that Jonbon has come out of Sandown in good form. He’s understandably quite tired, but he’s been to every party and is such a warrior,” he said.

“It was unfortunate he bumped into a fresh horse but he beat Energumene and Edwardstone like he did at Ascot and if he was going to get beaten by anyone, it was always going to be by a Willie Mullins horse. That is, however, not in any way to detract from what a remarkable training performance it was.

“Well done, Willie; see you at Punchestown!”