Nicky Henderson frank on Constitution Hill’s chances at Kempton and reveals reason for break

Constitution Hill is finally going to be back on our screens and on the track returning for another run at Kempton on the All-Weather on Saturday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained star, formerly a Grade 1 hurdler has switched to the flat this year and even has potential sights set on a spin at the Melbourne Cup in Australia’s biggest Grade 1 contest.

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Speaking to Emmet Kennedy on talkSPORT 2, Henderson was quite honest about his chances of his Grade 1 hurdler Constitution Hill winning the Group 3 William Hill September Stakes.

When asked about his previous comment that this is a race ‘he cannot win’, Henderson replied: “Well, yeah, I mean, it’s a very high-class race. He’s probably the lowest-rated horse in the race. So that tells you where we stand. These are proper top-class flat horses, they’re Group 1 horses, basically.

“So we know where we are. We’ve just got to get this third run under his belt. And then we can decide. And he’ll tell us this time where we’re heading.

‘This is the test‘

Constitution Hill has so far run just twice on the flat, both times on the all-weather – winning both starts at Southwell in February as the 6/4 favourite before being pummelled into 1/7 at Kempton in March.

Now rated 101, there’s still some improvement to be had according to his trainer.

Henderson explained: “We’ve no idea what standard he can run to. This is the test. You know, when it would be, in our opinion, would be nearly impossible. But he’s fitting well, and we’re ready to go.

“And I mean, he was very, very good at Southwell the first time. He probably wasn’t as visually impressive the second time at Kempton.”

‘No excuses’

While Constitution Hill won by a nice two lengths at Kempton last time out, it wasn’t quite what you’d want from a 1/7 winner.

He still won comfortably but there were some noticeable moments that would have had a few punters clutching their betslips.

This however, will be the time to step up and win for the third time on the bounce in this new discipline, and show just what he’s capable of – but at nine-years-old Henderson doesn’t believe there’s any excuses now despite the notable potential drawbacks facing these six rivals.

Henderson added: “He’s had, you know, he’s five months since his last run.

“So this race will bring him on quite a lot. It’s not going to be the biggest excuse in the world that he’s not ready. He’s ready. But, you know, he’s taking on young horses.

“We’re nine years old. And he’s taking on Group 1 flat horses. And that tells you all, really. You know, on ratings, we’ve got to improve over a stone.”

Constitution Hill will face Gethin, Tornado Alert, Pride Of Arras, Warrant Holder, Almeric and Dubai Future.

The former hurdler is set to be around a 5/1 shot for this race under Billy Loughnane, behind only Gethin and Tornado Alert in the odds.

Those two frontrunners are rated 117 and 116, respectively hence Henderson’s reservations and requirement of his horse to improve a stone (14lb).

‘Had to take a break’

Henderson also revealed the reason behind Constitution Hill’s absence since March.

He reasoned that having prepared for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in March, then preparing to switch to the flat with a full round of training, was ‘unrealistic’.

Henderson concluded: “Training since September, full work, it’s too long.

“We wanted for an autumn campaign. And that would have actually finished up with the horse that had been solidly in training for over a year. That was unrealistic. So we had to take a break.

“And I’m pleased about it. He’s come back looking fantastic. He’s done plenty of work. I’d like to have had a spin on the grass at some stage, but as every trainer in the country would tell you, you can’t do that at the moment.

“So we’ve got to go here and it’s on the all weather. So we know the ground is OK, but he’s got a very hard task in front of him. But we’re up and ready for it. I say this will tell us where we belong, where he goes from here.”

Melbourne Cup dream ‘wild’

For the owner Michael Buckley’s dream to stay alive of going to the Melbourne Cup, Constitution Hill will have to place in the top three of this race at Kempton.

A race that Henderson says “seems kind of wild considering the amount of horses that the Australian stewards have not allowed to participate.

“But he’s a nine year old. He’s sound. It’s not like he’s a younger horse where their bones are still developing and there may be the scans which show something there.”

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