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Nicky Henderson confirms Constitution Hill could take his place at Punchestown in May following a positive update.

Unbeaten in eight starts under Rules, Nicky Henderson's star performer was unable to defend his Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival last week after a below-par racecourse gallop and unsatisfactory scope forced the Seven Barrows handler to rule him out.

However, on Tuesday the trainer issued a positive update on the Michael Buckley-owned seven-year-old and suggested a trip to Punchestown could be a 'possibility' all being well.

"He had his blood done yesterday, as he has done every Monday since what happened at Kempton," said Henderson speaking to the PA News Agency.

"It has kept on improving to the point where it is as near normal as it could possibly get without being 100 per cent. It is 99 per cent, which is a long way from where it started.

"He is back in routine exercise and has joined in at the back of the team this week.

"What he had and what the others had are two completely different things. He was pretty unwell, whereas all the others are very well but have a problem. I think it's been well-documented that we have a problem.

"His blood tests told us he was unwell and given he's so laid-back at home it was a good job we took him to Kempton.

"Now he's better and his bloods are almost back to normality he can resume exercise, but he hasn't galloped yet.

"We'll tick along, you can take it he won't be going to Aintree but if he continues and his work progresses with it, there is the possibility he could go to Punchestown which both Michael (Buckley, owner) and I would love to do if possible.

"If you were to ask me his primary objective, I would most likely say it's the Fighting Fifth next autumn, but if we can get to Punchestown then we will."