NICKY HENDERSON has given Constitution Hill the green light to run at Punchestown next week – setting up a monster clash.
The eight-year-old will clash with State Man, Lossiemouth and Golden Ace in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Friday.
Hendo originally floated the idea of running in Ireland after Constitution Hill fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but then opted to send him to the Aintree Hurdle earlier this month.
He crashed out again at the second last – but his usually cautious trainer has decided to have one more crack before the end of the season.
And the horse will have a new jockey next week, with James Bowen set to take over from Nico de Boinville who is recovering at home after breaking several ribs in a horror fall at Plumpton on Easter Monday.
Bowen, 23, rode the horse in a piece of work on Friday morning and will school the horse on Sunday, and provided all goes well Constitution Hill will be on the ferry to Ireland.
Henderson said: “The news is good, and I'm delighted to say that we will give the green light for Constitution Hill to run at Punchestown next Friday.
“James Bowen rode him, which is ironic because the last time he sat on him was a few years ago when we finally discovered that he had an engine! He was the first person to discover that he was actually any good!
“They worked on the Jockey Club Estates All-Weather gallop, which we refer to as ‘the back of the hill' and everything went exactly as I'd wanted; it was super and he is in great form and I couldn't have asked for more.
“He will school either tomorrow or Sunday and barring any hiccups he'll be heading off to the Emerald Isle.”
Constitution Hill heads the betting at 6-4 for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, narrowly ahead of State Man and Lossiemouth.
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