CONSTITUTION HILL IS “unlikely” to run in next Saturday’s BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Trainer Nicky Henderson reports his star hurdler is “currently lame” with an as-yet undiagnosed issue and a trip to Gosforth Park now appears to be off the agenda.

The 2023 Champion Hurdle hero missed his title defence in March following an unsatisfactory racecourse gallop at Kempton, with the gelding found to be suffering a respiratory infection which kept him sidelined while the Cheltenham Festival took place.

Constitution Hill also had a spell in a veterinary hospital due to a suspected bout of colic at the end of March and underwent a wind operation during the summer break, but the vibes were positive heading into the winter, with Henderson long having a trip to Newcastle pencilled in for his stable star’s return.

Connections dismissed concerns about Constitution Hill’s wellbeing following a lacklustre racecourse gallop at Newbury earlier this week, but an issue has emerged subsequently.

In a post on X, Henderson said: “I’m afraid I have to report that we have a problem with Constitution Hill, he is currently lame. This wasn’t immediately apparent after his gallop at Newbury on Tuesday but for the last 48 hours he has been sore.

“For what reason, we are currently unaware and investigating. This, as I’m sure everybody will appreciate, is a tragic problem for us but we have to report where we are.

Trainer Nicky Henderson delivered an update on Constitution Hill on Friday (John Walton/PA)

“He is still under investigation, we are trying to find the reason for it, which is not apparent. We will keep everybody posted, but at this stage I’d have to say he is unlikely to make next Saturday at Newcastle.

“I have to confirm to everybody that this is not a retirement call, he is not (being retired). He was bright and breezy after his gallop but we have this issue.”

The reason for Constitution Hill’s soreness seems to have left Henderson’s team at Seven Barrows scratching their heads, but he is hopeful of a diagnosis sooner rather than later – and the outcome being only a slight delay to the unbeaten seven-year-old’s return.

Speaking at Ascot, he said: “Whatever’s making him lame, he can still walk. He walked in the water yesterday and we’ve got to admit if the Fighting Fifth was not in just a week’s time, it wouldn’t be an issue.

“It might be simple, and I hope it is and we can mend it, repair it and get him right. If he’s sound tonight, he will go to Newcastle, but I am having to warn that I think it’s unlikely.

“Until we can identify what is ailing him, it is impossible to get a result and I can’t think this is going to take five minutes.

“We can’t find anything (at the minute) and it could be anything from foot to fetlock to knee. So we will do a blocking system. On his near fore, we can block the foot, the fetlock and the knee, but he’s lame.

“Too many people are trying to write him off and retire him. It’s been like an obituary but he’s only lame. First of all, you hope it’s nothing, but we don’t know, as there’s nothing to see – no heat anywhere, but they can’t talk.

“The public miss seeing him but it’s more painful for us. I’ve been at it long enough and through it often enough.

“It’s tough for everybody and I know everybody wants to see him and I appreciate that. But we have got to look after him and the only thing that matters at the moment is his wellbeing. Let’s hope it won’t take too long and if we can’t do Newcastle, hopefully he will be back for Kempton.”

Constitution Hill has been replaced as Fighting Fifth favourite by stablemate Sir Gino, who finished ahead of him in the Newbury gallop and is entered over fences at Kempton on Monday.