Former Champion Hurdle hero Constitution Hill has been given an entry for a Kempton novice next Wednesday night after dazzling on his flat debut at Southwell last month.
Constitution Hill Kempton Entry Could Be Turf Warm-Up
After it was announced that the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner will no longer be competing in jumps racing, all eyes now turn to a flat campaign for one of the greats of this generation.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star made his flat debut at Southwell last month where he was the star attraction on their Friday Night Live card.
He stormed to victory after travelling like a dream throughout, eventually beating Square Necker by nine and a half lengths under champion jockey Oisin Murphy.
There’s now a chance we will see him on the all-weather again, with him holding an early entry for a 1m4f novice at Kempton next Wednesday (25th March 2026).
Although, Murphy won’t be available to ride him this time around. The Irish jockey was recently suspended for eight days, so Ryan Moore will take the ride.
WATCH: Constitution Hill Romps To Victory At Southwell
ALL CLASS! ⚫️⚪️
CONSTITUTION HILL strikes in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes IN STYLE!@oismurphy @sevenbarrows @Southwell_Races pic.twitter.com/bKKndP9qzJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 20, 2026
Henderson Explains Constitution Hill Kempton Entry
Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson said:
“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. 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.
“It gives him three weks until the John Porter, and rather than having to gallop him round the place here, I think another run would do him good.”
Options Being Explored For Constitution Hill Flat Campaign
Despite having an entry for this year’s Champion Hurdle, trainer Henderson decided to remove Constitution Hill from the race after a long discussion with owner Michael Buckley.
He spoke to the Racing Post about the decision:
“His work has been brilliant, and he’s technically the best jumper I’ve seen over hurdles in my life, but I just can’t risk it. Michael was here, and we said the same thing. We both just agreed we couldn’t face any more of him over them. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.”
Constitution Hill Flat Race Targets Mentioned
- Newbury, April – John Porter Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)
- Curragh, September – Irish St Leger (Group 1, 1m6f)
- Flemington, November – Melbourne Cup (Group 1, approx 2m)
Constitution Hill Career In Numbers
- Rules Races: 15
- Wins: 11
- Hurdle Races: 14
- Hurdle Wins: 10
- All-Weather Races: 1
- All-Weather Wins: 1
- Prize Money Won: £903,423
