All eyes will be on Constitution Hill this Saturday as the former champion hurdler attempts to rediscover his electrifying best in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. This crucial comeback follows what Timeform described as a "disconcertingly tame display" at Punchestown in early May, where he finished a disappointing fifth.
A Dramatic Fall From Grace
Just seven-and-a-half weeks separated Constitution Hill's peak from his puzzling collapse. In March, he lined up for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham as an unbeaten winner of 10 races, including eight at elite Grade One level. By 2 May, he trailed home 27 lengths behind State Man at Punchestown in a performance that left racing fans deeply concerned.
The contrast with his earlier career couldn't be more striking. During his first two seasons, Constitution Hill displayed effortless brilliance that made him the top-rated hurdler of recent decades. His dramatic falls at Cheltenham and Aintree earlier this year were at least explicable, but his lacklustre effort at Punchestown, where he had nothing to give when asked for effort, marked his first ever completed defeat.
The Newcastle Challenge Ahead
Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle represents more than just another race - it's a critical test of whether Constitution Hill still belongs among jumping's elite. He faces two serious young challengers: Dan Skelton's The New Lion, who impressed at Cheltenham in March, and Willie Mullins' unbeaten Anzadam from Ireland's powerhouse stable.
The winner will likely emerge as favourite for the Champion Hurdle next spring, adding significant stakes to this weekend's encounter. For Constitution Hill, it's about proving he can still compete at the highest level after his startling dip in form.
Henderson's History of Comebacks
Trainer Nicky Henderson has form when it comes to reviving champion careers. The parallel with Sprinter Sacre is particularly compelling. Like Constitution Hill, Sprinter Sacre had compiled an unbeaten 10-race record before health issues intervened in December 2013.
After more than a year off and three subsequent defeats, Sprinter Sacre returned to win four races unbeaten in 2015-16, including a memorable second Champion Chase victory. A similar story arc for Constitution Hill would represent another remarkable training achievement for Henderson, who first won the National Hunt trainers' title back in 1987.
The stage is set for what could be one of the great racing narratives if Constitution Hill can triumph at Newcastle. The script for a glorious final season awaits - now the star must deliver his lines.
