Constitution Hill takes the next step on his Flat journey at Kempton – with new elite ally Ryan Moore key to plotting future

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Never has there been more excitement for a Wednesday night at Kempton than for the rebranded Constitution Hill‘s next step on his redemption road in the 1m4f novice (7.30).

The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner resurrected his career on an extraordinary and surreal night at Southwell last month with a dominant display on his first Flat outing, sending a packed student crowd into a frenzy.

The buzz around the talented and immensely popular nine-year-old has not abated as he takes the crucial next step towards a potential tilt at some of Flat racing’s major prizes and bids to bring some much-needed cheer for Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard after news of Sir Gino’s death.

Wednesday nights at Kempton are something of a staple of the British racing diet. Most fixtures this season have failed to break the 400 mark for attendance, but sales have unsurprisingly soared as racing fans rush to witness one of racing’s biggest draws, even at extremely short odds.

Henderson said little had changed in terms of preparing Constitution Hill for racing under a different code and the ten-time hurdle winner already has experience on Kempton’s Polytrack surface from his pre-Cheltenham Festival gallops. 

He also notched a Christmas Hurdle hat-trick at Kempton, including his memorable third win in 2024 when toppling Lossiemouth on his first start off a year’s break and following his recovery from a bout of colic.

Constitution Hill powers clear of his rivals under Oisin Murphy at Southwell last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

One change is that Ryan Moore is in the saddle this time. He replaces the suspended Oisin Murphy, who partnered him to his nine-and-a-half-length win at Southwell. 

“He’s in great form and it’s all gone well since Southwell,” Henderson said. “We haven’t changed much at all with his training. He’s always been a straightforward horse. The only difference is the starting stalls and he went through them again on Monday.

“I haven’t looked too much into the race but you should always respect the opposition. When Oisin got off him he said a mile and a half was the right trip for him for the time being, so we’ll stick to that.”

Moore’s expertise will also prove vital in working out Constitution Hill’s future targets.

Henderson added: “The whole point of these races is to find out what to do next. This will tell us more and how the rest of the year will pan out. There’s no point thinking too far ahead at this stage.

“He actually knows Kempton pretty well and he’s been on the surface for a few years for a gallop ahead of Cheltenham. 

“I was at Kempton on Monday and it’s great that there’s such a buzz about it. I know he’s popular but these big National Hunt horses usually are because they come back year after year. Everyone seems to be excited to see him run. They’re a bit more excited than we are.”

Moore a key component in exciting project

Excitement is building for Constitution Hill’s second start on the Flat, even at what would otherwise be a low-key all-weather fixture.

At Newbury over the weekend, Nicky Henderson appeared happy with where his nine-year-old is at and was looking forward to learning plenty more about Constitution Hill’s ability on the Flat, especially with Ryan Moore on board.

Henderson told me he had “plenty of interested jockeys” throwing their hat in the ring with Oisin Murphy suspended, but Moore’s availability was hard to turn down.

The trainer is well aware that Constitution Hill does not need another education because he has already proved himself at Southwell, and he is match fit, but this experience will do him no harm. Plus there will be interesting advice from Moore regarding how his mount is campaigned for the rest of the year.
Liam Headd, Lambourn correspondent

‘It’ll be a major shock if he gets turned over’ – bookies make Constitution Hill as short as 1-8

Bookmakers are taking no chances with Constitution Hill, who is as short as 1-8 for the Kempton contest.

He was sent off 6-4 for his Flat debut at Southwell when taking on a highly touted Amo Racing rival in Square Necker, who was backed before the off but well beaten in second.

Another comprehensive victory is expected. It is unlikely the nine-year-old’s odds will be as slim as in his prime over hurdles, with his shortest odds being 1-12 in the 2023 Christmas Hurdle and again on Cheltenham’s Trials day in January last year.

Constitution Hill in the parade ring at SouthwellCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Ticket sales have rocketed for Constitution Hill’s appearance as wherever this horse goes, racing fans follow, but as a 1-6 shot it’ll be a major shock if he gets turned over. So we’ve got some markets where punters can judge how far he wins by and which of his opponents might finish second.”

Constitution Hill is 20-1 for the Melbourne Cup in November with Coral and those odds could shorten if he wins in good style again.

Coral’s David Stevens said:  “After an impressive winning start to his second career at Southwell, we cut his odds for the race that stops a nation to 20-1. We wouldn’t rule out a further reduction if he puts in a similar performance at Kempton, something the betting says is highly likely.”

Read these next:

‘This leaves an awful hole in Seven Barrows’ – Nicky Henderson mourns death of star hurdler Sir Gino 

Iroko ‘a much more complete horse since last year’s race’ as team issue warning to bookies over Grand National price 

Oisin Murphy: Constitution Hill will blow Kempton rivals away – and I think he might be even better on turf 

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