Nicky Henderson: Constitution Hill Is Just ‘Different Gravy’
Speaking at a recent BoyleSports Cheltenham Preview evening in aid of SVP, there were no signs of nerves from Nicky Henderson’s camp when asked about his superstar Champion Hurdle favourite, Constitution Hill.
The son of Blue Bresil is the hot 2/7 favourite with BoyleSports to win the Champion Hurdle and according to Nicky is just “complete different gravy”.
Nicky Henderson was speaking at the BoyleSports Cheltenham Preview night in aid of SVP at the Bardic Theatre in Tyrone. To make a donation visit www.svp.ie/fundraiser/cheltenham-preview-night-2023
You can see what Nicky Henderson had to say in his interview with the Racing Post’s David Jennings about Constitution Hill and Jonbon for the Arkle Chase below.
You will also find the full transcription of Henderson’s interview with David Jennings below.
Constitution Hill is ‘Different Gravy’
David Jennings: How is the now famous Constitution Hill? How are your nerves?
Nicky Henderson: “The trouble is, finding horses to work with him is a bit of a problem. He is just complete different gravy to be honest with you. We’ve got some very good horses but I can’t afford to use the rest of the Cheltenham team up just to keep him happy, so he can laugh at them.
“He could do that with the lot of them but it’s not going to do them any good, so it isn’t the easiest thing in the world. He’s in very very good order. Nico [de Boinville] rode him this morning, and unfortunately, it’s very dry still over here. We’re only working on the all weather and I prefer to be on grass, but we can do plenty of work.”
Constitution Hill’s Attitude Sets Him Apart
DJ: You’ve trained some phenomenally good racehorses. Is Constitution Hill just a bit different to them all?
NH: “It’s very hard to say that. He’s only had five races in his life. It’s very easy to get carried away. He’s barely out of Novice really, but what he’s done, (and he’s done it each time, that’s the amazing thing) is, he’s just been flawless. He just eats and sleeps and works.
“It’s like a book – it’s A,B,C. I think the strongest thing about him is his whole mind game. His attitude to life is wonderful, his attitude to racing, the atmosphere isn’t going to get to him, you could go as far as you’d like, you could go as short as you’d like, you could jump anything you’d like. I’m not going to run him in the Cross Country but otherwise anything else is an option.”
Henderson On Jonbon In The Arkle
DJ: Talk to me about Jonbon in The Arkle. I know the Mullins camp are very sweet on El Fabiolo. Are you going to beat him again like you did at Aintree last year?
NH: “Yeah, I think he’ll [Jonbon] win by a bit further this time. I think it will be a tough fight. I think Willie’s got a battalion in there that are going to take him on. He’s done nothing wrong. I do think Warwick was a bit of a wake-up call.”
DJ: Will you be disappointed if he’s beaten?
NH: “He got beaten last year in the Supreme by you know who. That was a great race at Aintree. We’re happy with where we are. He had a really good blow at Warwick – it was the first time he actually had to get into a fight.
That was a good fight at Aintree, and I admired him that day because he put his head down and really got stuck in, so he proved he could do that as well as go around on his own. He’s very versatile. He can make the running, but he doesn’t have to.
You could do most things with him, and he looks fantastic. We think he’s in very good form and everything has gone right really.”
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