Nicky Henderson warns Constitution Hill publicity 'could be undone in 10 seconds' if he fell at Cheltenham
Trainer Nicky Henderson expresses concerns that positive publicity for horse Constitution Hill could quickly vanish if he experiences another fall.
Trainer Nicky Henderson is cautious about the future of Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, after he successfully debuted on the Flat, winning by nine and a half lengths at the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes. Despite the impressive performance, Henderson emphasizes that the horse's image can be dramatically affected by any future missteps, particularly after Constitution Hill's recent struggles with falls in obstacle races.
Henderson reflected on the delicate balance of promoting Constitution Hill's future, as he considers whether to continue racing on the Flat or return to hurdles. The trainer's concerns stem primarily from the horse's recent performances, where he suffered three falls in his last four hurdle races, which raises questions about his reliability moving forward.
With a large crowd present and all eyes on Constitution Hill, the stakes are high for both the horse and Henderson. The successful Flat debut has garnered excitement and hopes for the future, but it also highlights the tenuous nature of horse racing publicity—a single fall could reverse the positive momentum and affect the horse's career trajectory significantly.