Connections are far from deciding where Constitution Hill will next appear following a 7lbs rise by the handicapper this week.
Despite finishing a five-length fourth, it was a clear career best on the flat following his first two winning efforts. Returning from a 164 day break, he travelled strongly into the race in rear in the September Stakes under Billy Loughnane. For a moment it looked as if he may get there, but ultimately weakened late on.
Pride Of Arras landed the spoils, with Gethin following home in second. The pair were rated 13lbs and 16lbs superior, thus a 7lbs rise for Constitution Hill looks justified. Henderson had no strict plan as to the next steps, but a Melbourne Cup tilt is officially off the cards.
Speaking to the Racing Post on Tuesday, Nicky Henderson said: “Unfortunately we know we can’t go to Australia, and it’s probably the right thing. But ironically he’s now up to a handicap mark of where he would’ve got in. The handicapper is saying what happened, and that is that he’s run a hell of a race. It shows how much they rate the performance.”
“It probably eliminates handicaps” – Nicky Henderson
A 7lbs rise isn’t ideal as for now, his mark eliminates him from 0-105 handicaps. However in hindsight, he has finished on the heels of mid to higher end 110 rated horses. He evidently needed the effort, he bled from the nose, and he could easily be better on turf.
The November Handicap, which allows horses rated higher than 105 is a likely possibility. But Henderson hinted handicaps may be off the cards entirely.
Nicky Henderson continued, suggesting: “It probably eliminates handicaps for us, I’d imagine. We’ll have a good look at the options. But it’ll be in races between a mile and a half and a mile and six. We’d also like to go back on turf with him.
“We knew he’d go up in the ratings, but my initial reaction is that he’d go up 3lb or 4lb. In most of those handicaps, a mark of 105 is the highest. He can run in one, but it’s going to be mighty competitive with where he’s gone now.”
While plans are certainly up in the air, Henderson was unsurprisingly still proud of his horse’s efforts, stating: “He’s come out of the race fantastic and he’s in great form. We think he’ll come on quite a lot in reflection, and I think going back on turf will help. It’s all systems go. The dream is still very much alive and we’re going to crack on.”