seven barrows champion hurdlers never switch to fences.

​I suspect the title of this piece is incorrect as doubtless a previous occupier of Seven Barrows did switch a Champion Hurdler of the distant past to fences. It would be routine back in the days of black and white and with few hurdle races worth winning.
Nicky Henderson, the present Seven Barrows supremo, is not in favour of switching codes with his Champion hurdlers and as a creature of habit when he sits down with Michael Buckley and Nico over the summer to thrash out the ‘what shall we do with Constitution Hill next season’ he’ll no doubt be in the ‘why change a winning formula’ corner. Michael Buckley, by all accounts, will be in the opposite corner, with Nico, perhaps, having the deciding vote. By then, of course, as Nico has intimated, there will have been a secret schooling session over fences, with the outcome having an overwhelming bearing on whether Constitution Hill starts his next campaign in the Fighting Fifth or a novice chase at Kempton or Newbury.
I am not as convinced as others that Nicky Henderson will adopt the tried and tested formula this time around as Michael Buckley’s stated racing ambition is to see his colours successful in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Constitution Hill is not only Michael Buckley’s best-ever chance of achieving his lifetime ambition but also, given he has a medical condition that required a hospital stay and a medical procedure shortly before Cheltenham, perhaps his last ever chance. And Constitution Hill is no ordinary Champion Hurdler. After two races, his trainer was suggesting he could be the best he has ever trained. And that is a statement and a half coming from one or racing’s renowned fence-sitters.
The Racing Post’s David Jennings believes it is long odds Constitution Hill will ever be risked over fences. I think it is even money. Constitution Hill has abundant scope and enthusiasm. He is also clever, as he exampled at the last flight at Cheltenham a few weeks ago. Nicky could sell tickets for the end-of-season secret schooling session.
As I opined when there remained the possibility of Honeysuckle opposing Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, when these sort of decision are made consideration should be taken for what is in the best interests of the sport. We live in straitened times. The decisions of our rubbish politicians make all our lives difficult and perilous. The same applies to our sport.
When I was in my formative years, when more wet-behind-the-ears than in my dotage when I remain naïve in so many aspects of human life, in Lambourn there was a precocious young steeplechaser called Mill House, the best horse Fulke Walwyn ever trained. In Ireland, out of my focus as a nine-year-old Bristol schoolboy, there was Arkle, not yet ‘Himself’ but the horse that became the best any of us had ever seen. As a child with a limited understanding, though a fascination, for a sport as far removed from city life as a trip to the moon, Mill House was ‘my team’ and after his belief-affirming ‘demolition’ of the Irish upstart in the Hennessey Gold Cup, unable to achieve a bunk-ff from school, I ran the best part of 3-miles home from school in order to see him repeat the ‘thrashing’ in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
We know what happened that day and on every occasion they met afterwards. Arkle was dead by the time all the relevant information (form and accrued knowledge) removed the veil of silly protective passion from my eyes. The day Arkle first defeated Mill House I was broken-hearted. I can still feel strands of that disbelief even now. I was growing-up at a time of steeplechasing’s greatest moments and it was only when it was over could I accept the truth. Arkle was supreme and, as my knowledge of the sport increased, I had no choice but to accept Arkle’s place at the top of the pantheon of great racehorses and acclaim his staggering achievements in handicaps as feats of wonder. In time, achievements that will become seen as much myth and legend as the stories of Arthur, Camelot and Sir Galahad.
In the present day, in Ireland there is this potentially great horse Galopin Du Champ. In Lambourn, there is this potentially great horse Constitution Hill. Our sport is at a pivotal moment in his history, as, I would suggest, it was when the immortal Arkle came to the rescue. 
Both Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley are of a similar age. It might be said of people their age that their best days are behind them and anything achieved in their dotage can only be thought of as last-gasp bonuses. Yet, incredibly, for both of them the best might yet be ahead of them. Their joint decision this summer might have a major bearing on the future health of our sport.
When such decisions are made what is best for the sport should override personal predilection, I believe. If Constitution Hill is trained from next season as a potential Gold Cup horse, we have the tantalising prospect of living again the same tantalising prospect our racing forebears enjoyed when Arkle and Mill House were rematched in the 1963 Cheltenham Gold Cup and for that period of time when it remained possible that Mill House might achieve his revenge.
I wouldn’t put money on Michael Buckley winning the debate come the summer but I hope for the betterment of the sport that Nico sides with the owner. Pat Taaffe had ridden many great horses before he sat on Arkle, as has Nico. The stars are aligning. 
Be brave, Nicky. Be brave.