From superstar to misfit. The crashing fall at the second last from Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle presents the team at Seven Barrows with a major dilemma.
How does Nicky Henderson and his team iron out these inexplicable mistakes that are blighting the career of one of the best National Hunt horses in recent times?
A fall from nowhere in the Champion Hurdle could be considered unfortunate. Mistakes happen. An aberration.
But doing the same thing a few weeks later? That suggests a deeper issue.
Put simply, Constitution Hill’s jumping at speed has gone to pot.
He wasn’t asked a question when crashing out four out in the Champion Hurdle but that was the precise moment when the pace was lifting.
Nicky Henderson has plenty to ponder about in the future with Constitution Hill
Henderson and owner Michael Buckley (far right) look on as Constitution Hill runs at Aintree
The same thing happened on Thursday at Aintree. Trapped in a pocket, the tempo of a moderately-run race lifted again. And Constitution Hill fell. Again.
It was the same kind of error at Cheltenham, too.
Taking off way too soon at the hurdle and giving himself no chance of getting to the other side.
Henderson will have to draw on every ounce of his training experience to restore normality with Constitution Hill.
He was unbeaten in his career until his two falls this spring. A trip to Punchestown could be a possibility.
It may well be third time lucky. A trip to Ireland and their old-style hurdles might make all the difference.
Henderson reported that Constitution Hill and schooled perfectly fine at home in between Cheltenham and Aintree.
But he wouldn’t have jumped at that speed which must give credence to the argument that the big problem is his jumping at speed.
Perhaps a form of headgear, such as blinkers or cheekpieces, could improve his concentration when approaching hurdles at high speed.
The horse jumped well in the Aintree Hurdle until the second last when the pace lifted
It’s not as if he’s lost his confidence and is backing off them. That’s an option open to him.
Another is trying something completely different.
Going over fences should lead to Constitution Hill giving his obstacles much more respect but that idea has been floated pretty often and one could imagine that he’s already been schooled over fences and it hasn’t gone well.
So a switch to fences next season seems unlikely. He’ll be nine next season and that’s quite late to change tact now.
Maybe a Flat campaign holds more appeal.
Targeting something like the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot might be a source of temptation for Henderson and owner Michael Buckley.
The engine and enthusiasm is certainly still there with Constitution Hill.
He has the class and ability to transfer his form to the Flat and with his jumping as poor as it currently is when it comes to the crunch, it’s a much safer route to go in winding down his career.
The other option is a potential jockey change. Since apologising for a mistake at the last in the International Hurdle, jockey Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill have not been on the same wavelength since.
There seems to be a huge breakdown in communication between horse and rider.
Constitution Hill wants to jump long when De Boinville asks him to take an extra stride. The horse seems to be completely ignoring the rider’s instructions.
Debate raged on social media on whether De Boinville was to blame for the fall at Aintree.
That’s open to interpretation. But what was less forgivable was the dismal positioning of Constitution Hill approaching the second last.
He was boxed in along the rail and shuffled back in a small-field race around the bend in between three and two out.
Tactically, De Boinville was comprehensively outridden by Danny Gilligan on Woodhoh and Paul Townend on Lossiemouth.
It was a poor ride at best, overall. Maybe a jockey change on Constitution Hill is worth exploring.
That’s not to knock De Boinville entirely. The beauty of racing is you can go from zero to hero very quickly.
He’d have been under massive pressure on Friday ahead of the Melling Chase. On board another warm Henderson-trained favourite, Jonbon won at odds-on in a four-runner heat.
With the second favourite El Fabiolo an unreliable jumper, Matata out of his depth at Grade One level and the quick ground going against veteran Protektorat, this looked like a penalty kick for Jonbon.
But he’d also made a big mistake when second in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
De Boinville won the Melling Chase and would have been under huge pressure to deliver
Some source of respite was needed for all at Seven Barrows and just like last year Jonbon was able to deliver. It wasn’t pretty but it was certainly gritty from horse and rider to win.
The sense of relief from De Boinville afterwards was palpable and Constitution Hill’s owner Buckley defended the jockey on Friday.
It was a testament to the character of De Boinville to get the job done.
Henderson understands that there is plenty to discuss around the future of Constitution Hill after the dust settles on Aintree.
They are on a retrieval mission and the next step will be fascinating.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK…
Every year there is a growing sense of fear that the Grand National is not quite what it was but it produces emotional stories like no other.
Step forward NICK ROCKETT who produced a wonderful performance off a big rating of 160 to win the world’s famous steeplechase.
Owner Sadie Andrew died of cancer in December 2022 and her husband was there to see their horse win the Grand National.
The legendary Willie Mullins has practically done it all but he was in tears in the end as his son Patrick rode the horse he trained home to win the National.
It might not be the jumping test it once was but this is a race that holds a special place in the hearts of the public, and indeed the racing public.
The race continues to produce incredible stories every year. It just matters a little but more.
