Henderson considering Flat run after Constitution Hill crashes out at Newcastle

Nicky Henderson has raised the possibility of running Constitution Hill on the Flat after the gelding fell for the third time in his last four races in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

In a dramatic Grade One, Nico de Boinville bounced the former champion out in front and ironic cheers rang out from the crowd when he cleared the first hurdle perfectly.

However, Constitution Hill got no further than the next flight, stepping at it and coming down.

That left The New Lion in front, only for him to crash out at the second last and with Anzadam falling short, the current champion Golden Ace took full advantage.

“First and foremost he’s fine, which is all that matters. That’s the second time he’s fallen, seemingly handing the race to someone else and they don’t get round like the Champion Hurdle. The New Lion has gone as well, I hope he’s all right too,” Henderson told ITV Racing from Newbury.

“I loved the way he went and jumped the first and then, I just can’t believe it.”

When asked what will come next for his eight-times Grade One winner, the Seven Barrows handler replied: “A two-mile maiden on the Flat? Seriously, why not? I would think about it.

“It’s getting to something, let’s all think about it and let’s not be rash but it’s sad, it’s really sad. You can’t keep asking him to do it, it doesn’t seem fair on anybody.

“Poor Michael (Buckley, owner), I could cry for him. We’ve done everything, why has this habit crept in? It’s hard to go on watching it but I can’t do any more.

“Everybody has got their own ideas and we’ve listened to every theory in the book, the work has been fantastic. His jumping has been great. His work has just been superb but you’ve got to jump eight flights of hurdles and at the moment that’s just something he doesn’t seem able to do.”

Constitution Hill schooled over fences last term as Henderson sought to resolve his jumping issues, but the trainer has categorically ruled out a competitive start in the chasing sphere.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Everybody has been very kind and I appreciate it. We can’t carry on like this and I can guarantee, and Nico confirms this, that jumping fences is not the way to go.

“Somebody will get hurt and we’re not prepared to take that risk.”

The New Lion arrived unbeaten in four runs over hurdles but it was the first major setback of what has been a tremendous start to the season for Dan Skelton.

Skelton said: “That was dramatic and not what anyone wanted. He’s OK, though.

“Going to the hurdle, I was just thinking what speed they were going as they were going so fast, proper two-mile championship speed, but he left a leg down, touched the top and that brought him down.

“We have to learn from it, there was nothing wrong with everything else. He flew one down the back and he was picking up nicely, I’ve no concerns about the trip – that’s one thing I will say.

“It’s not ideal to be on the floor, we’ll dust ourselves down and get him jumping.

“I think he’d have won but that is only my opinion and he didn’t stand up. It’s just frustrating and not a great start to the year.”