Constitution Hill is "back to where he belongs" after returning from a year off the track to put up a brilliant display in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.
Last seen in public producing what looked to many like just a moderate effort in a racecourse gallop at Newbury, after which he was found to be lame, Nicky Henderson once again worked miracles to bring a horse back to a peak from a lengthy absence.
His jumping was immaculate throughout and while market rival Lossiemouth struggled to go the fast gallop from an early stage, Nico de Boinville was motionless throughout and pinged the last on his way to a two-and-a-half-length victory as the 5-6 favourite.
The race was built up as a big clash between the best of England and Ireland, with Lossiemouth having had a run, winning nine of her 10 races since joining Willie Mullins and being in receipt of 7lb.
However, she never looked to be travelling with the zest of the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero, who has now regained his position at the head of the betting for this season's renewal of the two-mile championship.
De Boinville was keen not press the button too soon and followed Burdett Road to the second-last. To Lossiemouth’s credit she stuck on and still held a glimmer of a chance at the final flight, but Constitution Hill showed all his old sparkle and in scenes reminiscent of when Desert Orchid and Kauto Star used to rule the Kempton roost, he was welcomed back to a huge reception.
He's BACK 😍
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) December 26, 2024
The mighty Constitution Hill returns from a year off the track to become the first-ever three-time winner of the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle.
The best Christmas present @sevenbarrows could have asked for.@Ladbrokes pic.twitter.com/N8j6hbZqEI
"He is him and the great thing is he is back to where he belongs," said Henderson.
"I do think he is back to what he was always capable of being and I do think he is nearly as good as he was. Nico said there is a lot of improvement to come and he had a good blow going down to the last which he was entitled to do off that gallop. That was rapid stuff.
"This had to be the day he was going to get beat and not being unfair on the runner-up but there is improvement to come, I would be fairly confident about that.
"He didn’t get tired, he just had a blow and he was entitled to be a bit rusty. His jumping was like it always has been and at one time Michael (Buckley, owner) said 'Wow’ and I thought, ‘oh slow it down!’.
"Everybody in the jigsaw has done their part and it has been entertaining getting him back. A lot of things have been done differently and some of it has gone well and some of it has been a bit of a struggle, but the last three weeks have been very good. I’ve never seen him look better."
He added: "That Newbury gallop wasn’t everything we were looking for, but maybe Sir Gino will come out tomorrow and show it wasn’t too bad? You never know.
"There were days when it was a struggle and that gallop maybe went in our favour as he missed a week after that and we were forced to miss the Fighting Fifth. From then we had time to get the work in and this worked.
"I’d like to see how he takes this race and I have to say we’ve had to be hard on him the last three weeks. I would love to run him again, but if he says no, then we will have to say no and go straight there (to Cheltenham)."
De Boinville added: "There was an awful lot riding on it today but thank you to the crowd for coming out, as we felt the support.
"The great thing about my boss is he takes the pressure off, I’m in a great position riding for him and owners like Michael Buckley.
"The last couple of weeks, he really turned a corner. It was a truly-run Grade One race and I’d be looking forward to the rematch with Lossiemouth."
Harry Redknapp's The Jukebox Man showed a completely different side to his game in running out a ready winner of the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
The former football manager went through agony when seeing his pride and joy agonisingly caught at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but based on this display there are plenty of big days ahead of him.
On his chasing debut at Newbury he went straight to the front and put in some exuberant leaps along the way to winning a Grade Two.
Stepped up to Grade One company and facing an extra half a mile, Ben Jones was happy to take a lead on this occasion.
Trained by Ben Pauling, the heavily-backed 4-6 favourite settled beautifully, and whether he met a fence on a long stride or a short one, his jumping was immaculate.
To Hyland’s credit he tried to make a race of it, but The Jukebox Man had so much scope over his fences that at every obstacle he was gaining ground.
The pace really quickened approaching the second-last, and with The Jukebox Man low and quick over it the race was soon over.
He jumped the final fence cleanly to ran out a two-and-a-half-length winner, giving his rider a first victory at the highest level.
TOP CLASS!
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) December 26, 2024
The Jukebox Man wins the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase with plenty to spare.
A red-letter day for owner @Redknapp, jockey @BenJone04644251 and trainer @benpauling1.@Ladbrokes pic.twitter.com/RTJNVdNbnx
"Ben still feels there is improvement in him," said Redknapp.
"He normally goes off and is 'catch me if you can’ but Ben told Ben to sit in behind and he tracked Hyland and picked him off. He said the first time round it was just having a canter round, he was going so easy he always thought he was going to win. It’s nice.
"It’s fantastic, you come into the game to have horses to have days like this. I love it and it’s my passion and I’ve been very lucky. Ben has been a great judge and great trainer of my horses.
"He’s a lovely horse and has had sore heels all week, Ben was really worried about running him. He’s probably the best I’ve had, he’s probably better than Shakemup’Arry who won for me at Cheltenham and has great potential.
"The dream is back to Cheltenham and I was nervous. I watched every jump and holding my breath, it’s worse than football managing."
