Sir AP McCoy has provided his assessment on the future direction for Constitution Hill, a promising jumps horse. The 2023 Champion Hurdle victor had an impeccable record of ten consecutive wins before encountering setbacks at the Cheltenham Festival and subsequently at Aintree and Punchestown.
Following a thorough evaluation by trainer Nicky Henderson during the summer, Constitution Hill was expected to perform well at the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in Newcastle. Unfortunately, the horse faced another fall during the race, signaling a continuation of its recent misfortunes.
Despite these challenges, Henderson has dismissed the idea of retiring Constitution Hill and is considering transitioning the horse to flat racing. AP McCoy shared his insights on the situation, emphasizing the resilience of the horse and his personal inclination to persist with hurdling.
On the other hand, Barry Geraghty, a William Hill ambassador and the original purchaser of Constitution Hill, suggested exploring rehabilitation options for the horse’s jumping issues before making any decisions about its future competitions. Geraghty proposed working with expert Yogi Breisner for innovative solutions to improve Constitution Hill’s jumping skills.
The differing opinions of McCoy and Geraghty highlight the complex decisions facing Constitution Hill’s connections as they navigate the next steps for the talented yet troubled horse.