Nicky Henderson: “Barring any hiccups he’ll be heading off to the Emerald Isle”

THE news is good, and I’m delighted to say that we will give the green light for Constitution Hill to run at Punchestown next Friday!

James Bowen rode him, which is ironic because the last time he sat on him was a few years ago when we finally discovered that he had an engine! He was the first person to discover that he was actually any good!

They worked on the Jockey Club Estates All Weather gallop, which we refer to as ‘the back of the hill’ and everything went exactly as I’d wanted; it was super and he is in great form and I couldn’t have asked for more.

He will school either tomorrow or Sunday and barring any hiccups he’ll be heading off to the Emerald Isle.

SANDOWN

1:20

Keintzheim (James Bowen)

She can be quite free in her races, but they are likely to go a good gallop in a race like this, so I have no concerns that she won’t settle and her work is always to a good standard. She is a decent mare and could be quite interesting on her Handicap debut. The ground should be perfect.

3:00

Lucky Place (James Bowen)

He ran a nice race for a long time in the Stayers’ Hurdle but may not have quite seen out the trip that day so we’re dropping back in distance, and I must admit he does appear to be in very good form with himself. He’ll love the going and is joint top rated with Kitzbuhel and it will be our job to try and give the Mullins battalion something to worry about!

3:35

Jonbon (Mark Walsh)

He takes his racing extremely well and has come out of Aintree, where he was given an excellent ride by Nico, in great shape. Unfortunately, Nico’s not on board today, however, he is on the mend and we all send him our very best wishes, but Mark has ridden for me before and rides all of JPs in Ireland so it was a no brainer for him to get the leg up here. He came in a rode him on Wednesday, so has already ahd a feel of him, which is Jonbon obviously a tick in the box, but Jonbon is very uncomplicated, extremely professional and unbeaten (5/5) around Sandown, so let’s hope he can add to his unblemished record.

Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.