CONSTITUTION HILL made a “ridiculous” return to action at Newcastle – and is now the odds-on favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
On the back of an unbeaten first campaign over obstacles – capped by a 22-length romp in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last spring – the Nicky Henderson five-year-old traded as the 5-4 market leader for the National Hunt Festival’s opening-day feature.
But Constitution Hill is no bigger than 8-11 – with some layers going 4-7 – after a thundering comeback triumph in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle.