Boxing Day racing at Kempton: Constitution Hill takes on Lossiemouth in Christmas Hurdle and 11 in King George | Racing News happymamay

Constitution Hill will face its toughest tests in its first outing for 12 months against Lossiemouth in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy has been much talked about and written about since he claimed an impressive second win in a Grade 1 event last year.

No one could have imagined the trials and tribulations his relationships had gone through in the intervening period, so much so that he saw his favorite position for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away from Lossiemouth.

First there was a disastrous race at Kempton Racecourse, when it was later revealed that he was suffering from an infection that would keep him out of Cheltenham, and then there was a bout of colic.

Just when Henderson was hoping to make a clear run with him at the start of this season, another went wrong at the racecourse when he returned home limping from Newbury, meaning he was unable to run in the fifth fight.

He’s back in shape now, and is said to be firing on all cylinders – which is what he’ll need to take on Lossiemouth.

Her only defeat came when she ran into traffic problems at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival, since she won the Triumph Hurdle, International, Mares’ Hurdle and last out of Hatton’s Grace.

Trained by Willie Mullins in Rich Ritchie colours, Lossiemouth is 15lbs short of Constitution Hill in the official classifications, but receives a 7lb allowance from mares to go along with the racing fitness she has alongside her.

There are only two other contestants. Winner of the James Owen Greatwood Hurdle, Burdett Road and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum, second in the Fighting Fifth to the superlative Sir Gino from Constitution Hill.

Spillane Tower tops out at No. 11 in the King George mix

Gray Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are among the 11 runners announced for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Dan Skelton’s Gray Downing, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, looks the right choice for the home team after he was touched by Haydock’s specialist Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase last month.

Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was impressive in landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the King George track and distance 12 months ago, and deserves great respect despite being stopped at Auteuil last time out.

Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate General En Chef, who ran with a score when finishing fourth on his British debut in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin’s complementary rival Juntos Ganamos also hoping to become the first French-trained winner of the King George. Since the first gold in 2000.

Heading up a formidable Irish contingent, Spillane’s Tower, a double Grade 1 starter for Jamie Mangan last season, was narrowly denied by fellow JP McManus-owned rising star Fact To File in John Durkan at Punchestown a month ago.

Despite concerns about drying ground, Spillane Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to King George’s Field last week. The McManus colors will also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with top amateur Derek O’Connor back on board for the first time since guiding him to a 17-length victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen also make the trip across the Irish Sea, but last year’s winner Hewick has not been declared, with Communications instead opting to run him over the hurdles at Leopardstown later in the week.

2022 King George champion Bravemansgame is bidding to reclaim his crown and provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a record 14th win in the race.

The field is completed by L’Homme Presse, making his first appearance since a fourth-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season for Venice Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will partner Gavin Sheehan, who drove Hewick. To glory 12 months ago.