Danny Mullins can't see fairytale comeback for Constitution Hill in the jumps season

Top jockey Danny Mullins cannot see how the once unbeatable Constitution Hill can bounce back to his brilliant best. The sportsman has had his say on the Nicky Henderson-trained star as part of a for the 2025-6 National Hunt season.

A dual Cheltenham Festival titleholder, Constitution Hill had various issues before he returned from a 366-day break in last year's Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It went well with Nico de Boinville in the saddle, but then the seven-year-old's jumping became an issue. He gave odds on backers a fright at Cheltenham in January and had heavy falls at both British spring festivals.

The 2022 Supreme Novices Hurdle winner and champion hurdler of 2023 then failed to fire at Punchestown - and Henderson has since given him an equine MOT to leave no stone unturned.

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But Tote ambassador Mullins is not a believer in the fairytale comeback, saying: "I can't see a reason as to how it (the spark) is going to be there but you can't doubt Nicky Henderson.

"If he has seen something at home, he has had a summer break, he has had time to recover from a few of those mishaps - on his day he is a brilliant horse. I don't think it will happen but you'd be foolish to say it's guaranteed he isn't coming back."

Mullins, aboard Kerry National winner Spanish Harlem at Listowel on Wednesday for his uncle Willie, called the Champion Hurdle picture "wide open." The New Lion, from Dan Skelton's stable, is the 4-1 favourite, with Lossiemouth second in with State Man at 5-1 and Constitution Hill 10-1 with William Hill.

"Constitution Hill didn't quite look himself while State Man was able to bounce back from the disappointment at Christmas," Mullins added.

"It has probably opened up the door for a novice to come out and lay a claim to the crown but they will have to get to State Man's standard.

"Lossiemouth proved herself in the Mares' race and gained a lot of confidence after defeats. She has probably put herself in the position where she could have a go at the Champion Hurdle.".

Henderson revealed recently that Constitution Hill has had his vision assessed during the summer break as they try and work out why he has been underperforming.

"We found out there was the equivalent of an equine Specsavers, so we’ve had his eyes tested," he told the Racing Post.

"We’ve taken him to bits and we found very little. We did a bone scan from head to foot, and remarkably, nothing was found at all, which is surprising on an eight-year-old, but even more so after two falls like he’s had.

"He’s moving beautifully and his lungs are good, which sometimes we had to be careful with, but he’s in excellent shape and we’re pleased with where he is."

His campaign is expected to start in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on November 29.