“We’re not running him for experience or anything like that. He doesn’t need experience. The crux of it is that we probably need to get him a handicap mark and so this is the second leg,” stated trainer Nicky Henderson, emphasizing the strategic importance of Constitution Hill’s upcoming race at Kempton Park.
Constitution Hill, a horse that has made headlines for his remarkable performances, is entered for the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes scheduled for March 19, 2026. This will mark his second appearance on the Flat after a successful debut at Southwell, where he won by an impressive nine and a half lengths. Henderson’s comments underscore the urgency of securing a handicap mark, a crucial step in his racing career.
Henderson elaborated further, saying, “It’s not the practice he needs, but we’ve got to be getting ahead in trying to get him a handicap mark, so we feel it’s better to get it done this way.” This approach highlights the tactical decisions trainers must make in the competitive world of horse racing, particularly for a horse with such a distinguished background.
Before transitioning to Flat racing, Constitution Hill was an outstanding hurdler, winning the G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by a staggering 22 lengths at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and securing the 2023 Champion Hurdle. However, his recent outings have been marred by falls in three of his last four hurdle races, prompting the shift to Flat racing.
Ryan Moore, a leading jockey, will take the reins for this race, while Oisin Murphy, who is currently suspended for eight days, will not be available. Henderson noted that Nico de Boinville, who has ridden Constitution Hill in all his gallops, confirmed the horse is in good form, stating, “I asked him to sit on him and he said he felt in good form.”
As the race approaches, the anticipation builds. “I hope people will come. Looking at what he did at Southwell, both with his performance and the press he generated, hopefully it’ll gather momentum and we’ll be rewarded at the track on Wednesday,” said Barney Clifford, highlighting the excitement surrounding Constitution Hill’s return to the track.
Paddy Power has installed Constitution Hill as the favorite at 2-7 for the Kempton contest, while he is also priced between 14-1 and 16-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Following the Kempton race, Constitution Hill’s next potential outing could be the G3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury on April 18, just three weeks later.
As the racing community prepares for this significant event, all eyes will be on Constitution Hill as he aims to solidify his place in the competitive landscape of Flat racing. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments leading up to the race, but the stakes are undeniably high for this remarkable horse.