Constitution Hill

[Gingertipster]

“It is more than a virus. The horse has a wind problem”
———————–

A “wind problem” that nobody has heard connections talk about.
A “wind problem” that’s only come to light when the whole yard is struggling with a bad virus?

Constitution Hill has not got a wind problem.
I have a wind problem.

Value Is Everything

[LD73]

Mucus in the lungs and several poor blood count results are actual cold hard facts and doesn’t point to a wind problem but I guess social media knows best…….did this rumour surface pre or post Christmas Hurdle because that performance didn’t scream wind problem to me.

[LD73]

There are tablets you can take for that Ginge

[Cork All Star]

The rumour has gained traction since the ATR Cheltenham preview show, when Kevin Blake said he thought the horse has a breathing issue based on the noise he was making (the clip was posted earlier in the thread).

Blake is not connected to the horse and even though he is one of the better pundits his word is not holy writ. But it did seem a very bold thing to say (although he was being goaded by Matt Chapman at the time). He doesn’t strike me as someone who would make a comment like that just to provoke a reaction.

[LD73]

Bear this in mind, if you do have mucus in your lungs would that not affect your breathing in general anyway, let alone when exercising? Like we all would make a wheezing noise if having a respiratory illness? That may have been the ‘noise’ Kevin Blake picked up on and mistakenly thought it was a wind problem.

What isn’t open to question/interpretation/opinion is that the horse had mucus in his lungs after an initial scope following the work and has had sub par (back to back) blood test results, so until we have evidence from the horse’s mouth (excuse the pun) to the contrary, I am happy to go with the horse has a virus of some form, which likely is running through the yard or at least part of it given the stable poor form.

[Ghost of Rob V]

If Constitution Hill has a virus, then giving him antibiotics would be next to pointless … unless he has a secondary bacterial infection brought on by it.
Mucus in the lungs can lead to low blood oxygen that triggers a ripple effect throughout the body.
Nicky Henderson has done the right thing by withdrawing Constitution Hill from the race. I just wished he’d been braver earlier in the season to give CH an extra run or two when the chance(s) were there to bolster his fitness and keep fans happy.

[Ex RubyLight]

I don’t know why the wind op has become en vogue nowadays. Until 6-7 years it wasn’t even declared and now you have horses with at least two wind ops behind them during one single season.

I think they’re just performed too easily with the main objective being an improved performance. But, I’m also sure that at least 20-30% of the wind ops aren’t really necessary. You see horses running after a 2nd wind op and still struggling the way they did before the first one.

Whatever bothers CH it shouldn’t jeopardize the rest of his racing career and should be sorted out in 2-3 weeks, I hope.

[LD73]

I think the term virus is a loose definition used that probably covers a lot of things that are not by definition an actual virus……prescribing antibiotics are to treat infections and it is more probably that he has a low grade infection.

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/horse-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-horses/introduction-to-lung-and-airway-disorders-of-horses#v3221079

[GM23]

https://www.racingtv.com/news/much-improved-constitution-hill-could-come-into-punchestown-picture

Would love to see him there but still think his next outing will be the Fighting Fifth.

[Nathan Hughes]

If the horse is well they should go for it
provided the yard has recovered from the lack of form by then

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[LD73]

Well he has thrown a little bait out for us all to have a nibble on

[mickeyjp]

Believe it when I see it. Soundbite for the press. Amazing he’s suddenly keen to go to Ireland when he said he didn’t see the point in taking Willie on in his own back yard. Like Willie does when coming to Cheltenham. State man much better in Ireland so could be risky.

[Refuse To Bend]

I hope it happens as this year’s Champion Hurdle was a complete non event.

The more I know the less I understand.

[Nathan Hughes]

With not running at Cheltenham the prize money would be a carrot

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Helcatmudwrestler]

There is no chance what so ever he is going to Ireland to take on Mullins horses ,I don’t know why he bothers saying it .
I see in paragraph 8 of RP article , CH had sense to tell him he was sick , I assume other horses may keep it to themselves like a diligent worker who carries on working through while sick .

[Gladiateur]

The only way Constitution Hill runs at Punchestown is if he is absolutely 100% fit and showing all the right signs at home.

Henderson isn’t going to risk a below par Constitution Hill surrendering his unbeaten record.

[befair]

Arkle, Dessie, Dawn Run, Kauto Star, Persian War, istabraq, Faugheen all of them lost races, never affected their legend. What is the obsession with remaining unbeaten?

[Author]

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