Ryan Moore is booked to ride Constitution Hill in a novice contest at Kempton. The appearance will be the top hurdler’s second start on the Flat.
Constitution Hill’s Flat Campaign Continues
Constitution Hill, who won the 2023 Champion Hurdle, is entered in the £12,000 1m4f race at Kempton on Wednesday. The race is scheduled for 7.30pm. Last month, the nine-year-old made a winning Flat debut at Southwell.
Oisin Murphy rode Constitution Hill to victory by nine and a half lengths over Square Necker last time. However, Murphy is suspended for eight days from March 24-31. The suspension is due to excessive whip use when partnering Caliban to victory at Southwell.
Nicky Henderson appears to have secured Moore’s services due to Murphy’s suspension.
Henderson’s Handicap Ambitions
Henderson said it’s not the practice he needs. However, Henderson wants to get ahead in trying to get him a handicap mark. Henderson said it is better to get it done this way.
“He’s got to have three runs, and we need them under our belt, because there are a lot of big handicaps we can be thinking about,” said Henderson.
Possible Future Races
The Newbury Group 3 John Porter Stakes on April 18 is a potential target. The £100,000 Greenham Stakes also takes place on April 18.
Henderson stated that another run would do him good, rather than having to gallop him round the place. Nico de Boinville rode him in a piece of work and felt great. Henderson said it works nicely from Southwell to Kempton, and then from Kempton until Newbury, leading them there tidily.
Constitution Hill is priced between 14-1 and 16-1 for the Gold Cup at Ascot in June. Owner Michael Buckley mentioned the Melbourne Cup last month.
Coral’s John Hill said that after his impressive Flat debut at Southwell, Constitution Hill may get the chance to showcase what he can do on the Flat at Kempton next week. Ahead of that race, he is 14-1 for the Gold Cup and 20-1 for the Melbourne Cup.
Henderson feels another run would do Constitution Hill good before the John Porter Stakes.