When is Constitution Hill’s public gallop? Champion Hurdle favourite set for Kempton outing

Champion Hurdle hopeful Constitution Hill will take part in a public gallop alongside his Seven Barrows stablemates at Kempton Park next week.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed Constitution Hill as well as star juveniles Lulamba and Palladium will workout at the Surrey venue in preparation for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The decision to send the Champion Hurdle favourite on an ‘awayday’ came as a surprise considering Henderson’s reluctance to gallop in public again after a string of problematic outings.

Over the last 12 months, Constitution Hill has what could be described as a hate-hate relationship with public gallops – a year ago at Kempton, a lacklustre display unearthed a respiratory infection leading to an extended period on the sidelines.

Soon after the horse required treatment in a veterinary hospital after suffering a suspected bout of colic, which Henderson described as ‘traumatic’ before he underwent wind surgery.

His next broadcasted gallop in November at Newbury saw stablemate Sir Gino outmatch the eight-time Grade 1 winner in a canter which revealed lameness and forced him to miss a highly-anticipated return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle later that month.

In January, Henderson stated Constitution Hill would not be seen in public again until the Cheltenham Festival in order to stop critics ‘pouring petrol on the fire’ – before a dramatic change of heart by the 74-year-old.

When is Constitution Hill’s public gallop?

Constitution Hill is set for a public gallop at Kempton on Tuesday, February 25. Stable jockey Nico de Boinville told Racing TV the U-turn was based on ‘how his work has evolved’ and it appears as a supreme vote of confidence in the eight-year-old.

De Boinville itted the yard can learn a lot from public gallops following a ‘gut-wrenching’ experience a year ago.

WATCH: Nico de Boinville speaks to Nick Luck on Constitution Hill’s Kempton awayday

🗣️ “Last year showed us what not to do.”@NdeBoinville explains the rationale behind @sevenbarrows‘ decision to send the mighty Constitution Hill for an “away day” @kemptonparkrace on Tuesday ⚫️⚪️@nickluck | #LuckOnSunday | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/GXPxEQ6F

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 23, 2025

As per the best horse racing betting sites, Constitution Hill is a best-price 4/6 to win a second Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in just over two weeks’ time.

Following the disastrous Newbury gallop, Michael Buckley’s star returned with a bang to land the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day before following up in the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Doubts remain over whether the horse is still at the peak of his powers, with many arguing the form at Christmas is less than informative taking into a bizarre display from Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth who didn’t appear to travel a yard from the moment the tape went up.

Likewise at Cheltenham last month, Constitution Hill made a shuddering mistake at the final flight which almost resulted in his first defeat under rules before recovering to beat the modest Brentford Hope by three lengths.

Layers will be more eager than ever to take on the favourite in the Champion Hurdle, with two promising mares running against him in the form of Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth pending an improved effort this time around.