Nicky Henderson has tempered expectations about Constitution Hill‘s participation at Newbury on Saturday.
The nine-year-old has been entered in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes over 1m4f. He had been pencilled in for the race since scoring for the second time on the flat at Kempton. His latest success followed his astonishing flat debut at Southwell where he won by nine-and-a-half lengths.
This race represents his first significant step up in class since his attentions have been turned to the flat. Among his stellar rivals could be the veteran Al Aasy, the same age as Constitution Hill, but a multiple Group race winner. The four-year-olds Convergent and Pride Of Arras could also be Group 1 contenders in waiting if developing this season.
Constituion Hill is still likelier to run than not, but Henderson issued a word of caution on Wednesday. Going conditions will dictate his next move.
“We’re trying to get some easier ground” – Henderson
Despite making an electric start to his flat career, Constitution Hill is yet to race on turf. He has plenty of experience of grass surfaces from his hurdling days, however.
There should therefore be no issues with his adaptability when he eventually sets foot on turf. The suitability of the going will be the primary factor in his participation in Group company for the first time.
Speaking to the Press Association via Racing TV, Henderson said: “I’d love to go to Newbury because it’s just a lovely track and a mile and five (furlongs) is the perfect distance.
“We’re just trying to get some easier ground. If I trained this fella through the summer, that is going to be the worry.
“I do have reservations because it’s been a long dry spell and we’re having a lot of trouble on the jumps tracks, but let’s hope we can run. I spoke to Michael (Buckley) and I’ll pop over on Wednesday and have a look to see what the ground is like before declarations on Thursday.”
Were Henderson to declare Constitution Hill, the excitement will doubtless build towards his prospects for the remainder of the season. His trainer remains confident that his former Champion Hurdler has what it takes to compete at the top.
“He needs a third run and some of these horses are rated a lot above him, but I’d still love to see him run well and tell us where we are on turf now, which I would have thought would be a much more suitable surface for him.”