HILL BACK ON RIGHT TRACK

CONSTITUTION HILL is “absolutely 100 per cent” after the setback that ruled him out of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last Saturday.

- DAVID YATES

Nicky Henderson’s star, whose unbeaten run of eight includes a victory in the 2023 Champion Hurdle, was last seen when landing the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park last Boxing Day, having been ruled out of his title defence at Cheltenham by a virus.

A comeback at Gosforth Park was shelved after Constitution Hill suffered from lameness – vets diagnosed bruising in a pastern – in the wake of a lacklustre gallop at Newbury 11 days before his planned return.