Nicky Henderson mapped out a comeback for Constitution Hill in Cheltenham’s Unibet International Hurdle a fortnight on Saturday – followed by a possible trip to Ireland over Christmas.
Drying ground saw the 5-4 Champion Hurdle favourite ruled out of a planned seasonal reappearance at Ascot on Saturday.
Now Henderson and Constitution Hill’s owner Michael Buckley are favouring a return to Cheltenham – the scene of the five-year-old’s 22-length Supreme Novices’ Hurdle triumph last March – over a clash with stablemate Epatante in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.