Constitution Hill has been given his opening flat rating after winning on his opening two starts. Group company awaits next before that handicap mark is utilised, while his former hunting ground at Cheltenham has cancelled its final two meetings of the season.
Find out more about the racing news today in our Tuesday round-up of headlines.
Constitution Hill rated 101 on the flat
Constitution Hill has been given an Official Rating of 101 after his latest victory at Kempton. The nine-year-old is unbeaten in his new sphere after comfortably making it two from two at the Surrey venue. That latter performance was not quite as visually impressive, though the British handicapper has still seen fit to give him an opening rating in three figures. The Group 3 John Porter Stakes is reportedly his next target at Newbury. (Racing Post)
Cheltenham cancels remaining fixtures for drainage repairs
Cheltenham racecourse has announced that its remaining 2025/26 fixtures have been cancelled. This is due to repairs required to the drainage system on the home straight. A hole appeared on Trials Day at Prestbury Park which was down to a collapsed drainage pipe. However, no issues were visible during the Cheltenham Festival. Three fixtures remained on Cheltenham’s calendar, though these will no longer take place. Some of the more prestigious races at these meetings have been relocated to other tracks. (BBC)
Grand National latest: Townend to make late call as Kings relish big day at Aintree
Paul Townend is to make a late call as to his mount for the 2026 Grand National. Townend has been aboard I Am Maximus for the last two years, winning in 2024 and finishing second 12 months ago. However, Grangeclare West has made an impression this season, with the ten-year-old giving Townend food for thought. He was third in the 2025 Grand National behind Nick Rockett when ridden by Brian Hayes. (At The Races)
Meanwhile, one of Ireland’s smallest training operations is ready to hunt down the big names at Aintree. Connor King trains just two horses, but one of those is Oscars Brother, now owned by JP McManus. Oscars Brother won the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novices’ Chase earlier this season before finishing a gallant fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Despite having an Irish Grand National entry too, it is Aintree that King is aiming his star chaser towards. (Belfast Live)
The Jukebox Man in line for Punchestown redemption
Gold Cup flop The Jukebox Man may yet reappear this season at Punchestown according to trainer Ben Pauling. The King George hero could only finish tailed off at Cheltenham behind Gaelic Warrior, who he beat at Kempton. The Punchestown Gold Cup still appeals as a season-ending option for The Jukebox Man, who is owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp. Pauling is hoping that his charge will have fully recovered from a breathing issue and pulled muscles. (PA via Racing TV)