Constitution Hill will compete in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, according to Nicky Henderson.
The ante-post favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March was supposed to make his seasonal debut in the Coral Ascot Hurdle last Saturday at Ascot, but ground conditions at the Berkshire circuit forced the Seven Barrows star to withdraw on race day.
The five-year-old was one of six probable runners confirmed at the five-day stage for the Gosforth Park Grade One, a race won by Henderson five times in the last six years and which will also feature stablemate and race regular Epatante.
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The Fighting Fifth Hurdle takes place at Newcastle on Saturday, November 26. The post time is set for 14:10 GMT. You can watch the race live on the Paddy Power website and app or on ITV3.
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Constitution Hill will now travel to the north east with his stablemate, according to Henderson, who told the PA news agency on Wednesday morning: “Constitution Hill will run at Newcastle on Saturday.”
In a call organized by Newcastle Racecourse, he added: “Since the weekend, Michael (Buckley, owner) and I had been debating whether to go to Newcastle or to wait for the International at Cheltenham.
“And Michael decided yesterday, probably correctly, that he wanted to run in Newcastle. ‘Come on, let’s go to Newcastle,’ he urged.
“The horse is in good condition, and anything may happen if we wait another two weeks. Also, keep in mind that the weather could continue to be as hot as it has been in the south. I’ve just been strolling about Newbury – I almost drowned this morning – but they’re having to chuck water on it to retain this nice ground, so we can’t risk it.
“With the news that Newcastle has some soft spots and great slow ground, we felt we needed to get going. He was in great shape last weekend and should be again this weekend.”
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Henderson also confirmed that Epatante will join Constitution Hill in the final line-up as the JP McManus-owned mare attempts a hat-trick in the event after a dead-heat with Not So Sleepy a year ago.
“Perhaps at the beginning we hoped Constitution Hill and Epatante wouldn’t have to meet at this point in the season, but the dice has rolled that way and we have to let them both run,” the trainer explained.
“The Grade One races are designed in such a way that coming here qualifies you for the Christmas Hurdle. If they had to meet anywhere, it was supposed to be at Kempton, but that didn’t happen, so they have to take each other on now, and there will be plenty of others taking us on as well – it’ll be a true Grade One race.”
Despite being a past Champion Hurdle winner, Epatante is rated 14lb lower than Constitution Hill, with Henderson saying he is unsure how good the latter could be.
He went on: “She has won it twice, three Grade Ones last year, and finished second in the Champion Hurdle. Last year, she came as near to Honeysuckle as any horse did.
“She has every right to be in first place in a Grade One race. To tell you the truth, we have no idea what Constitution Hill is. Last year, it was a bizarre performance on all three occasions. The Tolworth was the first hint of what was to come, and the Supreme was silly to think he could do that to Jonbon, who I thought was truly top-notch.
“Epatante’s preparation has been excellent, and it has been identical to that of the previous two years.
“Epatante has always galloped on that Tuesday and did so again last week. She went for a wonderful two-mile spin and then worked again on Monday, so her work is done.
“Aidan’s (Coleman, jockey) impression is that she is further forward than she was this time last year, and I would probably agree.
“It was a pretty rough race heading to the finish line (in 2021) – traffic wasn’t exactly flowing her way near the end, and she did get a little stuck.
“And she might have come on for it because she was quite impressive in the Christmas Hurdle that day, finishing lengths ahead of Not So Sleepy. We believe she is doing fine.”
The sponsors’ spokesperson, Barry Orr, is overjoyed at the possibility of a race to remember.
He stated: “As sponsors, we are obviously overjoyed with the news. The fact that Nicky and the respective owners have decided to run both horses is not only good for the race, but also for the National Hunt game in general.
“That competitive element has sadly been missing in recent renewals of the event, but this is a step in the right direction and will make the Fighting Fifth the weekend’s must-see race.”
Pied Piper will miss a major race.
Gordon Elliott has confirmed that Pied Piper will not compete in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday against Constitution Hill and Epatante.
The County Meath trainer stated at Hereford, where he saddled two runners on Wednesday, that the excellent winner of Cheltemham’s Masterson Holdings Hurdle would not be among those declared for the two-mile feature.
Piped Piper, who finished third in last year’s Triumph Hurdle, got his revenge on old rival Knight Salute at Prestbury Park before going on to win the Grade Two WKD Hurdle at Down Royal earlier this month.
Elliott, on the other hand, has decided not to run against Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill, who is poised to make his seasonal debut alongside Fighting Fifth dead-heater Epatante.
“I’d say he’d be hesitant to race with those two horses showing up,” Elliott said.
“Regardless, hopefully it will be a good race, and maybe it will work out.”
“We were just waiting to see what came up, but with those two horses showing up, we might just pass on it.” We’ve already had two runs, so we’ll pass.
“I’m sure we’ll go somewhere for Christmas.” I’d say we’re not going to Newcastle.
“He has done nothing wrong so far, but dumping him in the deep end at this point may not be the best decision.”
