Constitution Hill odds revealed for Kempton contest as Henderson confirms summer plans

Constitution Hill is set for his second flat run on Wednesday night at Kempton and his odds could have bookies fumbling.

The punters are going in for the 2023 Champion Hurdler who is as short as 1/8 with some sportsbooks.

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Ryan Moore is set to ride the nine-year-old, as Oisin Murphy who rode him on his flat debut is out suspended for breaching whip rules.

The Nicky Henderson-trained star absolutely routed his rivals at Southwell last month, who went off as the 6/4 favourite.

That was his first victory under rules since landing the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham in January 2025.

As a result of that win many thought, including Henderson, could mean a return to Cheltenham Festival.

But trainer and also owner Michael Buckley ultimately decided to focus on the flat, retiring Constitution Hill from jumps racing.

An understandable move, considering the horse had fallen three times in four runs over hurdles, along with a poor finish far back in the field at Punchestown.

Now though, the sky is the limit for flat races including talks of a Melbourne Cup trip, where punters will no doubt turn out in their droves to watch the superstar.

Southwell enjoyed a huge boost in attendance when he made his flat debut, and it will be interesting to see the attendance figures at Kempton on Wednesday.

In order to do so, Henderson needs to get him a handicap rating which will also help gauge a route for the flat season ahead.

He may be given a big rating with even the bookies not taking any chances, with Coral and Ladbrokes pricing him at 1/8.

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‘He’s in good shape’

Nicky Henderson told Racing TV: “He knows Kempton very, very well.”

“Not only from the Christmas Hurdles that he’s won there in the past. He knows the all-weather well as well, because we’ve galloped him there several times in our sort of pre-Cheltenham gallops morning there. He likes going around.

“He’s in good shape. Ryan Moore’s going to ride him which is good. And he can hopefully tell us what we need to know.

“We think he’s in very good form so we’re very much looking forward to the night out.

“So it’s all systems go, and I hope it will be a fun evening for him. It will be for us if he can come home in front.

Where next for Constitution Hill?

His jockey for Wednesday will be of great help, as Moore is said to be able to tell Henderson where he belongs in the scope of flat racing.

Henderson told Racing Post: “These guys know what it takes to win certain races, distances and what sort of races we ought to be looking at in the future.”

The trainer will be busy mapping out a campaign out for Constitution Hill after the race on Wednesday, and has often referenced the John Porter at Newbury.

An ideal race, for the stable located in Lambourn also in Berkshire.

But Henderson did confirm: “There’s nothing for him at Royal Ascot and I’d like him to have a month out like he normally would and then you can concentrate on the autumn. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves – let’s see what happens this week first.”

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All odds correct at time of writing

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