PUNCHESTOWN officials are looking forward to meeting Nicky Henderson at Cheltenham next week to gauge the likelihood of the trainer running Constitution Hill in the Boodles Punchestown Champion Hurdle in early May.

Last Monday the undefeated hurdler was ruled out of next week’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham following a lacklustre gallop and unsatisfactory scope and blood test results.

The horse is expected to make a full recovery in time for Aintree, where he won last season, and could then run at Punchestown.

Richie Galway, Punchestown’s racing manager, said: “We haven’t annoyed Nicky or Michael [Buckley, owner} since Constitution Hill was ruled out of Cheltenham but, based on all previous conversations, they are fully aware how keen we are to have him here. We will see them next week and follow up after the Festival. Hopefully the horse makes a speedy recovery and we will do all we can to entice them to Punchestown.”

Once again Punchestown will be represented with a stand in the shopping village at Cheltenham. Punchestown’s Shona Dreaper said: “Ticket sales and hospitality sales are in good shape but we hope to build on UK involvement next week and after Cheltenham. The Full Circle Series has been well supported in the UK and also during the qualifiers in Ireland, so we hope that the final will be a competitive race on the opening day. We have four more qualifiers, in Ludlow, Wetherby, Cork and Down Royal.”