"He'll be back" - Constitution Hill retirement talk quashed by trainer Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson intends to race on with Constitution Hill once the top thoroughbred has been given time to recover from the Punchestown Festival.

The 2023 Champion Hurdle hero failed to show any of his old brilliance behind all-the-way winner State Man in Friday's feature race.

With James Bowen deputising for injured colleague Nico de Boinville, Constitution Hill was heavily backed by members of the huge crowd and went off the 8-13 favourite.

However he was slow to start when the tape was released and after a big leap at the first flight, was soon in trouble as Paul Townend kicked from the front on State Man.

British raider Golden Ace finished an honourable second with Constitution Hill 27 lengths behind the Willie Mullins-saddled winner in fifth.

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The disappointment led to discussion among racing fans about the former hurdling great's future on the racecourse. Speaking to the and Express on Saturday, Henderson said: "Constitution Hill will be back for next season.

"His immediate future plan is out in the field, he will have a summer holiday like he normally does. We have found a few things but they aren't excuses."

Although unable to challenge for top honours in the Boodles Champion Hurdle, it was the first time Constitution Hill's had completed in three races.

The eight-year-old fell heavily at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and he was having his first run for Seven Barrows outside of Britain yesterday. Constitution Hill helped draw a modern day record crowd of 42,138 people to the circuit, situated around an hour from Dublin.

Punchestown's vet reported the winner of £881,823 from ten triumphs had grazes to his right hind cannon bone and was sore post race, while Bowen reported his mount stopped quickly. "The whole of Ireland came to see him yesterday so it was a shame we didn't get the result," Henderson added.

"He will be on his way home tonight and back to his own bed. He's fine and just has some sore muscles. We will give him time to get over this season."