by Nicky Henderson announced that Constitution Hill has undergone wind surgery and is looking forward to the new season with his star hurdler.
Despite being undefeated in eight legal starts, the seven-year-old only made it to the racetrack once last season, when he won his second Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
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The towering star of National Hunt racing was unable to defend his Champion Hurdle title at the Cheltenham Festival due to respiratory problems and a possible comeback at Punchestown in the spring fell through after he was taken to hospital with a suspected bout of colic.
However, Henderson gave an optimistic report on Constitution Hill’s well-being after he returned from the summer break in July. He has since undergone minor surgery ahead of his planned return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on November 30.
Henderson told the Racing Post: “A few weeks ago [Constitution Hill] I’ve had a wind operation to help. It’s something that’s happened to us before, but we thought it would be better to do it now while we still have time in case it rears its ugly head, rather than when we’re in training and can’t afford the time.”
The operation came after the horse was moved to a new box at the trainer’s Seven Barrows stable last month.
Henderson added: “Everyone is very happy. It’s a very straightforward procedure and he’s recently had a scan to show that everything is 100% OK. He loves his new stable where he spends much of his day enjoying his field.”
