If Constitution Hill makes it to Cheltenham Festival then thank jockey Nico de Boinville

IF star hurdler Constitution Hill makes it to Cheltenham a week on Tuesday his regular partner Nico de Boinville well be the unsung hero.

Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey is the ultimate team player, and in what has now become an infamous gallop it was his quick thinking to ease off Constitutional Hill at Kempton on Tuesday.

De Boinville could play a crucial role in, hopefully, getting Constitution Hill to Cheltenham

Most of us will never experience what it feels like when a horse just doesn’t feel ‘right’, or in this case is unwell which is without doubt what Constitution Hill has been over the last few days.

So I asked De Boinville if he could try and explain, and he told me: “When you are in a gallop and you pull Constitution Hill out he usually locks on to the bridle.

“At Kempton he just didn’t do it – there was nothing there.

“Think of it like an accelerator on a car. Constitution Hill would go forward with a simple touch, but at Kempton the moment I pulled him out it was like putting your foot down and it just going straight to the floor.

“He was just full of mucus and I looked after him straight away.”

Constitution Hill’s blood test results – which were not good at all 48 hours ago – need to improve quickly if he is able to try and retain his crown in the Champion Hurdle a week on Tuesday.

Henderson would want to give him a decent piece of work next week before the big test. Antibiotics need to start dong their thing.

I was a lucky enough to be at the former champion handler’s Seven Barrows stable in Lambourn, Berkshire, for Sky Sports Racing on Thursday morning.

It was a real treat, something I do not take for granted.

Watching Henderson and De Boinville in conversation on the gallops was a real eye-opener.

The trainer would throw questions at his stable jockey, asking if this, or that horse would enjoy cheek pieces or soft ground at a certain track.

Each time, sat on horses like Jonbon and Jeriko du Reponet, the rider would answer immediately and with knowledge. The form book in his head.

Memories of what had been done in previous races and schooling sessions etched in his mind.

This is many ways is a much unheralded partnership. But there’s something very special about the relationship between Henderson and De Boinville.

They are a fine match. And not to be underestimated.

De Boinville doesn’t make many mistakes, and that’s the kind of rider Henderson wants.

Throw in intelligent feedback, and you have a team player worth his weight in gold.

If Constitution Hill misses Cheltenham, then connections still have the opportunity to provide us with a right old showdown at Punchestown on May 3.

In his absence, many will believe his old rival, State Man, will be the new Champion Hurdle hero by then, and so there is the chance of a right old smash-up over in Ireland.

Spice added by the fact State Man scored at Punchestown last year.

In many ways, this would be more exciting for racing fans than Constitution Hill against State Man in the main event at Prestbury Park.

After all, Constitution Hill smashed up State Man on a home turf 12 months ago.

That, however, will all depend on Constitution Hill being back to 100 per cent.

And, as for that prognosis, only time will tell. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed and, if it happens, thank Nico!

I’m off to Newbury today for Sky Sports Racing and it’s a belter of a card with the feature the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase in which I think BILL BAXTER has a right each-way chance for Warren Greatrex and James Bowen.

The Coral Gold Cup eighth weakened at Cheltenham last time but the ground would have been fast enough there and this surface and distance is ideal.

The former Topham winner has dropped 8lb in the last few runs and is an each-way player.

Up at Doncaster I’m excited by SOME SCOPE in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.

He has no weight on his back and is on the hat-trick for Richard Hobson and Gavin Sheehan.

The lightly raced six-year-old is improving quickly and while up to 125 from 115 after a success at this track last time he might well be up to it.

My each-way Nap of the day is the old plodder FORTESCUE in the veterans’ handicap Chase at Newbury.

When the going gets tough, Henry Daly’s warrior gets going. At least I hope he does!

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