Coach Nicky Henderson described Structure Hill’s efficiency as “excellent” as he impressed in a pre-Cheltenham Pageant gallop at Kempton.
The unbeaten eight-year-old is odds-on favorite to regain the Champion Hurdle title he gained in 2023 within the characteristic race on the opening day of the Pageant on Tuesday, 11 March.
Twelve months in the past, an identical exercise noticed a disappointing efficiency which led to him being off the monitor for a full 12 months.
A respiratory an infection ended his bid for a Cheltenham defence earlier than a suspected bout of colic ended his season early.
He missed his seasonal comeback in November after he was discovered to be lame however returned to the monitor with a simple win within the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day at Kempton earlier than a victory on Trials Day at Cheltenham final month.
However he shone in Tuesday’s look on the Surrey monitor the place he was ridden by common pilot Nico de Boinville, who allowed him to drag clear of labor companions That is Good and Aston Martini whereas Henderson and proprietor Michael Buckley watched on.
“Nico’s face, my face and Michael’s face will in all probability let you know it is a totally different day [to last year],” stated Henderson.
“That is him and it is good to observe actually is not it – it is horrifying to observe, truly.
“We have been so comfortable and you have simply acquired to clean out final 12 months. We knew earlier than we truly got here right here final 12 months that these horses weren’t flying and it was going to be more durable to get by way of, whereas as we speak every little thing has gone excellent.
“It was nice that you simply’re [media] all right here [to watch] and you may make your individual minds up.”
