RAGING Nicky Henderson has angrily denied rumours his star Constitution Hill has suffered a setback.
Whispers were growing yesterday the hot 1-3 favourite for the Champion Hurdle was a doubt for the Cheltenham Festival.
Hendo insists there is absolutely nothing wrong with his stable star after rumours he had suffered a setback
A source in Lambourn said staff in the yard were ‘queueing up’ to back stablemate Epatante for the big one.
But the seething Seven Barrows legend lashed out at the suggestion when contacted last night.
Henderson, 72, said: “I can tell you now there is no substance to any of this whatsoever.
“I promise you that. The horse is fine.”
Getting increasingly angry Hendo then fired: “I don’t know how these things start but I’m fed up with it. If it carries on I will be closing my doors to the yard and contacting the BHA.
“There are too many people trying to get me.”
Unbeaten Constitution Hill is the most exciting horse in training and was a runaway 22 length winner of last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
He is likely to go off the shortest-ever price in a Champion Hurdle on March 14.
Hendo has previously indicated his star will go straight to the opening day feature.
The horse remained rock-solid on the Betfair Exchange too – where punters are usually quick to react to any rumours.
Champion Hurdle odds via Paddy Power
1-3 Constitution Hill
9-2 State Man
7-1 Honeysuckle
8-1 Vauban
16-1 Epatante
33-1 Sir Gerhard, Love Envoi
40-1 bar
