Constitution Hill: Michael Buckley hits back at doubters as former Champion Hurdle star heads to Kempton | Racing News happymamay

Constitution Hill owner Michael Buckley has hit back at doubters about his former Champion Hurdle winner, but said he “won’t lift any fingers” if they retain the Christmas Hurdle crown.

The star, trained by Nicky Henderson, has not appeared since the Boxing Day award was lifted last year after a series of setbacks kept him off track, as he missed the Cheltenham Festival due to an infection and then suffered a bout of colic.

His first start of the year was further delayed after he was found limping before the fifth hurdle fight at Newcastle, but the injury proved fairly harmless and the team were working on a return to Kempton next week.

His latest release came after a disappointing public practice at Newbury, leading some critics and many audience members to question whether he would ever regain his top form, with some even calling for his retirement.

Speaking on Episode 5 of Unbridled with Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan, Buckley said: “I’ve kept quiet but that doesn’t seem to be the case for those who do the writing. They all seem to know a fair amount about what it is.” Up to or not up to.

“I read these different journalists in the Racing Post and some of the stuff I found hysterical. Some of them seemed to leave any intelligence they had at the door.

“I’m not very rich, so I’m not like JB [McManus] And I don’t have a lot of horses, so I guess I feel a little extra protective of him. It is not surprising that it is so dear to us.

“He didn’t do much wrong when he won the Christmas Hurdle for the second time, and at this stage he has eight straight wins and seven Grade 1 wins. Any way you cut it, he’s pretty special.

“Now I have to hear he should be retired. Before this race at Kempton he was 1-4 in the Champion Hurdle and today he was washed out. It’s extraordinary to read the kind of nonsense people write.”

“If he does poorly in the Christmas race, everyone will say his career is on a downward curve and maybe it’s time to call it a day. But if he races in a big race, even a tumultuous one at Lossiemouth, it’s hard to say his best.” His career is over, and if he beats Lossiemouth he could potentially challenge for the Champion Hurdle again.

“What will they all say then? We’ve got this all wrong. It will be as it will be.”

Henderson issued a positive note about Constitution Hill’s chances of reaching Kempton last week and Buckley said: “At the moment, it’s all good. If he had a natural aptitude I would just say yes.”

“He’ll do some work at the weekend and then that’ll be it. As far as I know, we intend to run on Boxing Day.”

Asked if he would enjoy silencing doubters more, Buckley said: “I won’t lift any fingers, that’s not really my style.

“First of all, if he wins, it would be great to beat this miracle horse for Rich Richie without him running all year.”