Constitution Hill Faces Betting Shift Ahead of Return

Constitution Hill's return to the track at Newbury has raised concerns among bettors as he finished behind stablemate Sir Gino in a workout, leading to a shift in odds for the upcoming Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Trainer Nicky Henderson expressed confidence in the horse's readiness, citing his talent remained intact despite a lengthy break due to health issues, including an infection and a minor wind operation. Jockey Nico de Boinville noted that while Constitution Hill felt good, he needed to regain full fitness, highlighting improvements since a previous gallop at Kempton. Betting markets reacted by easing his odds significantly, with some bookmakers shifting him from odds-on to odds-against for the Fighting Fifth and increasing his odds for the Champion Hurdle. The mixed performance raises questions about his readiness for a potentially pivotal season ahead.