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Never has there been extra pleasure for a Wednesday evening at Kempton than for the rebranded Constitution Hill‘s next step on his redemption street in the 1m4f novice (7.30).
The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner resurrected his profession on a rare and surreal evening at Southwell final month with a dominant show on his first Flat outing, sending a packed pupil crowd right into a frenzy.
The buzz round the proficient and immensely common 9-yr-previous has not abated as he takes the essential next step in the direction of a possible tilt at a few of Flat racing’s main prizes and bids to deliver some a lot-wanted cheer for Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard after news of Sir Gino’s death.
Wednesday nights at Kempton are one thing of a staple of the British racing weight loss plan. Most fixtures this season have failed to break the 400 mark for attendance, however sales have unsurprisingly soared as racing fans rush to witness one in every of racing’s largest attracts, even at extraordinarily brief odds.
Henderson mentioned little had modified by way of making ready Constitution Hill for racing beneath a unique code and the ten-time hurdle winner already has expertise on Kempton’s Polytrack floor from his pre-Cheltenham Festival gallops.
He additionally notched a Christmas Hurdle hat-trick at Kempton, together with his memorable third win in 2024 when toppling Lossiemouth on his first begin off a yr’s break and following his restoration from a bout of colic.
Constitution Hill powers away from his rivals beneath Oisin Murphy at Southwell final 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 9-and-a-half-size win at Southwell.
“He’s in great form and it’s all gone well since Southwell,” Henderson mentioned. “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 have not seemed an excessive amount of into the race however you must all the time respect the opposition. When Oisin bought off him he mentioned a mile and a half was the proper journey 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 entire level of those races is to discover out what to do next. This will inform us extra and the way the remainder of the yr will pan out. There’s no level pondering too far forward 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 used to be at Kempton on Monday and it is nice that there is such a buzz about it. I do know he is common however these huge National Hunt horses normally are as a result of they arrive again yr after yr. Everyone appears to be excited to see him run. They’re a bit extra excited than we’re.”
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 “loads of 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 a powerful profitable begin to his second profession at Southwell, we minimize his odds for the race that stops a nation to 20-1. We would not rule out an additional discount if he places in an identical efficiency at Kempton, one thing the betting says is extremely doubtless.”
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‘This leaves an awful hole in Seven Barrows’ – Nicky Henderson mourns death of star hurdler Sir Gino
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