Nicky Henderson has confirmed that his stable star Constitution Hill underwent wind surgery earlier this summer.

Undefeated in eight outings under Rules, Nicky Henderson’s hurdling superstar was only sighted once on the track last season when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton with the minimum of fuss on Boxing Day. 

A respiratory infection and suspected bout of colic caused Nation Hunt racing’s poster boy to miss the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown, while he was also forced to miss a potential tilt at the Irish equivalent at Punchestown last that year. 

Henderson has since confirmed Constitution Hill underwent a minor wind operation earlier and the summer ahead of his intended reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on November 30.

In a statement on X, Henderson said: “We had a very enjoyable day yesterday with a large party here as part of National Racehorse Week.

“Altior paid us a visit from Mick and Chloe Fitzgerald’s where he is having a great retirement. He loved seeing his fans again. He looks absolutely stunning and is really enjoying life.

“Jonbon and Constitution Hill were not surprisingly very popular with the enthusiastic crowd. Constitution Hill is in particularly good form. He is still on the burly side following his summer holiday, but his work is starting to build up for his intended reappearance in the Fighting Fifth.

“He has had a wind operation a few weeks ago, which we feel might help him, and Jonbon looks absolutely magnificent and is on course to begin his next campaign in the Shloer chase at Cheltenham on November 17 before going on to the Tingle Creek, both of which he won last year.”