As the 2025 Cheltenham Festival approaches, all eyes turn to Prestbury Park, a venue that has long been the stage for unforgettable moments of equine brilliance and human triumph.
Amid this storied landscape, few figures loom as large as Nicky Henderson, the masterful trainer whose remarkable career has become inextricably linked with Festival success as a five-time leading trainer.
The Seven Barrows maestro approaches this year’s renewal with characteristic quiet confidence – his hopes centred on the exceptional Constitution Hill – seeking to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown after a health-enforced absence in 2024.
Having overcome a potentially career-ending bout of colic, this extraordinary talent stands poised to add another glorious chapter to Henderson’s remarkable Cheltenham legacy – favourite for the Champion Hurdle 2025.
Constitution Hill’s immaculate record—undefeated in all 10 starts under rules—places him among the most accomplished hurdlers of the modern era. His performances have redefined contemporary expectations of hurdling excellence, combining breathtaking acceleration with metronomic jumping precision.
His potential return to Championship glory would represent a fitting continuation of Henderson’s extraordinary Festival narrative.
As we consider Constitution Hill’s place among Henderson’s Cheltenham greats, we reflect on the legendary horses before him, each shaping a legacy of National Hunt excellence. Here are some of his other great winners at Prestbury Park.
Punjabi
Henderson reclaimed hurdling’s blue riband with Punjabi’s determined victory in a thrilling 2009 Champion Hurdle.
In a dramatic finish, Punjabi battled tenaciously up the famous Cheltenham hill to edge out Celestial Halo by a neck, with pre-race favourite Binocular, also trained by Henderson, just a head further back in third.
This triumph marked a key moment in Henderson’s training career, reinforcing his status at the pinnacle of hurdling excellence. Punjabi epitomised the sport’s blend of determination and grit—a workmanlike champion whose resilience reflected his trainer’s patient craftsmanship.
Binocular
Perhaps the most naturally gifted of Henderson’s champion hurdlers before Constitution Hill’s emergence, Binocular possessed breathtaking speed and jumping accuracy.
Owned by JP McManus, this exceptional talent delivered a performance of controlled brilliance in the 2010 Champion Hurdle, travelling supremely well throughout before quickening clear to defeat Khyber Kim by three and a half lengths.
What rendered this victory particularly remarkable was Binocular’s journey to championship glory. Having disappointed earlier in the season and been initially ruled out of Cheltenham contention, his late resurgence represented a masterclass in Henderson’s training acumen—rejuvenating a seemingly compromised talent to produce a definitive championship performance when it mattered most.
Buveur d’Air
Henderson’s mastery of the Champion Hurdle reached new heights with Buveur d’Air’s consecutive victories in 2017 and 2018.
A rare combination of speed, stamina, and meticulous jumping precision, this exceptional talent confirmed his trainer’s unparalleled ability to prepare hurdlers for the rigours of championship competition.
His 2018 success proved particularly memorable, demonstrating remarkable courage to overcome the determined challenge of Melon in a pulsating finish decided by just a neck to thrill racing betting.
This battling quality complemented his more obvious attributes of speed and technique, establishing Buveur d’Air as a champion of unusual versatility and competitive tenacity.
Altior
One of Henderson’s most complete National Hunt performers, Altior dominated the two-mile division with a consistency that placed him among the all-time greats.
His Festival record remains impeccable—four appearances yielding four victories across both hurdles and fences, each delivered with trademark efficiency and controlled brilliance.
Altior’s Queen Mother Champion Chase victories in particular, showcased a rare combination of jumping prowess, tactical versatility, and finishing acceleration that rendered him virtually unbeatable at his peak.
His record-breaking sequence of 19 consecutive victories over obstacles stands as a testament to his exceptional talent and his trainer’s masterful handling.
