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Nicky Henderson has revealed both stable stars Constitution Hill and Shishkin may well line-up in the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

With Newcastle abandoned due to weather conditions on Saturday, both horses were forced to miss their intended targets, leaving Henderson scratching his head as to where their next assignments may be.

Having refused to race on his initial reappearance outing in the 1965 Chase at Ascot, Henderson marked the importance of Shishkin getting a run before his major target, the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. With no suitable options over fences left for Shishkin, it looks likely the multiple Grade 1-winner will revert to hurdling at Sandown this weekend.

Constitution Hill's participation in the rearranged Grade 1 prize on the other hand was far from certain, with just seventeen days between Saturday's contest and his intended Boxing Day target. However, it now seems likely that both horses will be present at Sandown with Henderson confirming there is now a "good chance" the duo will take their place.

"There's a good chance they could both run," said Henderson.

"Shishkin needs a run and I think this is the easiest and kindest way to do it.

"It is only 17 days before the King George and the alternative is the Peterborough Chase, but I like the idea of this.

"He was a very good two-mile chaser and so he shouldn't find it too sharp. I admit he did get taken off his feet a little in last year's Tingle Creek, but this is a good idea for a race before the King George.

"The start won't be a problem – he says bravely – he won't be wearing cheekpieces and we hope he has a nice time."

The Lambourn handler added: "As for Constitution Hill, we've ummed and ahhed the whole weekend and when I went to bed, I wasn't going to enter him, but I've woken up this morning with a different idea. I haven't been able to make my mind up, so I've put him in.

"There's a pretty good chance he'll run, I'd say.

"It's going to be a wet week, but he goes in heavy ground. I'd say he's more likely to run than not, but it is a very difficult call, so everyone just needs to bear with us.

"I suspect both might run. They travelled all over the country together last weekend, so they are new best friends."

There were only five entries for the original Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, but the five-day stage field now sits at eight, with Shishkin, Irish Point and Goshen all added.

Love Envoi, You Wear It Well, Benson, and Not So Sleepy all remain in contention.

Elsewhere on the card, Henderson will be hoping Jonbon can back up his success in the Shloer Chase in the Tingle Creek. He'll face a maximum of five rivals, including last year's winner Edwardstone, Captain Guinness, Boothill, Haddex Des Obeaux and Nube Negra.