Nicky Henderson wants rain for 'frightening' Constitution Hill
Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson celebrate Supreme Novices Hurdle with Constitution Hill
Nicky Henderson is praying for rain for Constitution Hill after reporting the gelding "jumped unbelievable" in his schooling session ahead of Ascot on Saturday.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner has been entered for the Coral Hurdle this weekend and he has schooled well this week.
The Seven Barrows handler claimed the five-year-old has not seen a hurdle since scoring at the Cheltenham Festival in March. But Henderson says Michael Buckley's charge, who is being aimed at the Champion Hurdle, is as "frightening" as he was last season.
"He jumped unbelievable," said Henderson. "I said to Charlie (Morlock, assistant) as he jumped that this is the most uncomplicated horse you could come across.
"He hasn't seen a hurdle since last season and now we've gone to white hurdles that most horses just stop and stare at because they haven't seen them before. It wouldn't matter if they were pink ones, yellow ones, green ones or crocodiles in front of them, nothing bothers him.
"You went through last year and you couldn't quite believe what you were seeing and all summer you kept thinking 'yes it did happen', but then again some horses don't train on, or they're freaks and the freak bits come in and then go out again.
"But he has done three or four bits of work and it is just as frightening as last year.
"The only problem I have is I've told Michael Buckley (owner) he needs to buy me a couple of pacemakers - I don't gallop horses with him because it's unfair on the other horses."
Constitution Hill is one of nine possible runners for the Grade Two, two-and-a-half mile race and Henderson would like some rain in Berkshire.
"We want this rain to move to Ascot swiftly," added Henderson.
"I've been stood in it since half past six and I am drowned.
"I'd like it as easy as possible - we had a walkover at Huntingdon the other day and I thought that was wonderful!
"I've actually got two others in the race. Call Me Lord won very well at Kempton the other day and the race would suit him well and there's a lot of prize-money on offer."
