Constitution Hill has been entered for a novice stakes at Kempton on Wednesday as connections look to map out their flat campaign. The former Champion Hurdle winner recently retired from jumping, after failing to complete in three of his latest four starts over timber.
However, in what was supposedly a preparation race for Cheltenham, Constitution Hill found a new lease of life when bolting up at Southwell on flat debut. There was an air of uncertainty regarding how he’d run, but he conjured up a wildly impressive performance. Having travelled effortlessly under Oisin Murphy, he swiftly pulled away from the field to win by nine-and-a-half lengths. An RPR of 103 mirrored the devastating effort, and some lofty targets were pondered thereafter.
Discussing the next run, Nicky Henderson told the Racing Post: “It’s not the practice he needs. But we’ve got to be getting ahead in trying to get him a handicap mark. We feel it’s better to get it done this way. He’s got to have three runs, and we need them under our belt. There are a lot of big handicaps we can be thinking about.”
The Melbourne Cup was pondered early on, but the Ebor Handicap could potentially be the number one summer target. Graded contests are also on the agenda, with the Grade 3 John Porter potentially on the cards.
The Kempton contest “gives him three weeks until the John Porter,” said Henderson. “Rather than having to gallop him round the place here, I think another run would do him good.
“Nico came and rode him in a piece of work this morning and he felt great. He’s the one person who does know him. It works nicely from Southwell to here, and then from here until Newbury. So it leads us there quite tidily too.”
Ryan Moore set to partner Constitution Hill
Oisin Murphy, who rode Constitution Hill too success, will unfortunately be unable to partner the Blue Bresil gelding this time. The British Champion Jockey is suspended for eight days between March 24th-31st. Murphy rode Caliban to victory at Southwell last week, but was suspended for whip misuse.
A more than able deputy in Ryan Moore has been provisionally booked. Moore partnered with Henderson in the 2022 Cesarewitch on Ahorsewithnoname, whom he won twice on earlier that season. He could only manage fifth in the Cesarewitch, but Moore will be thrilled to be given the leg up on what will hopefully be another electric performance.