BOOKIES Betfair have opened the market on Constitution Hill running at Cheltenham Festival.
Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten monster is a massive doubt for the Champion Hurdle after a shocking racecourse gallop at Kempton.
Constitution Hill was found to have significant mucus in his airway and is now in a frantic race against time to be fit for day one on March 12.
Willie Mullins’ State Man is the new favourite for the big race – but the odds suggest better news in Hendo’s favour.
On the Exchange, Betfair have Constitution Hill 4-5 to run at Cheltenham Festival.
While they make him 11-10 not to run.
Betfair Spokesman Barry Orr commented: “Following significant volatility in the Champion Hurdle market – at one point yesterday Constitution Hill was matched at a high of 4.3 (100-30) – we decided to offer this market on his participation.
“Although he is currently a shade of odds-on to run, he is still second favourite to State Man in the outright market.
“Punters aren’t convinced that Nicky can turn it around.”
Constitution Hill had been as short as 1-4 to defend his Champion Hurdle crown.
He was many people’s banker of the meeting having never seriously been challenged in any of his races.
But doubts over his participation have thrown the market open – and could lead other owners to have a pop at a race they had originally written off.
One of those could be Robcour, who may run Irish Point here instead of the Stayers’ Hurdle.
While Rich Ricci – who will be a guest at Sun Racing’s Cheltenham Festival preview night – could be tempted to run awesome mare Lossiemouth.
In a statement on Tuesday, Henderson added: “The sample from Constitution Hill’s tracheal wash has shown a small increase in the number of neutrophils, which indicates a respiratory infection which is significant but far from drastic.
“He will start a course of antibiotics immediately and we plan to re-scope him on Friday in order to monitor which way this is going.
“He would only be having light exercise this week following the gallop.
“Both our own vet and the racecourse veterinary surgeon who scoped him feel we definitely have a chance of correcting this in time and we will be doing everything possible to do so.
“We have a fortnight to work him and it is possible, so we will keep everybody notified accordingly.
“He is absolutely fine within himself and we have simply got to get on top of this issue as quickly as possible.”
Win The Champion Hurdle – Betfair Exchange Market
5-6 State Man
7-4 Constitution Hill
22-1 Irish Point
24-1 Lossiemouth
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