Sir AP McCoy has shared his thoughts on the next steps for Constitution Hill, a promising jumps horse. The horse, who won the 2023 Champion Hurdle and enjoyed a flawless record of ten wins under rules, faced setbacks at the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meeting at Aintree.
Following a thorough evaluation by trainer Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill returned to compete in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Unfortunately, the horse fell at the second hurdle during the race, won by Golden Ace.
Despite these challenges, Henderson has dismissed the idea of retiring Constitution Hill and is contemplating transitioning the horse to flat racing. McCoy discussed the horse’s performance and potential future on William Hill’s Inside Track.
McCoy emphasized the resilience of Constitution Hill, stating that despite the falls, the horse is too valuable to give up on in hurdles. He likened the situation to a heavyweight boxer facing defeats and questioned whether the horse could overcome the mental aspect of the falls.
On the other hand, William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty, the original buyer of Constitution Hill, suggested exploring options for improving the horse’s jumping skills before considering flat racing. He recommended potential rehabilitation with Yogi Breisner to address jumping issues and urged careful consideration before deciding on the horse’s future over obstacles.