Nicky Henderson has removed Constitution Hill from contention for York’s £500,000 Ebor Handicap, ending the immediate plan to send the former Champion Hurdle star into one of the Flat season’s biggest handicaps.
The nine-year-old had been discussed as a live Ebor contender after returning to Flat training, but the entry was taken out before the deadline for the 1m6f race at York’s August meeting.
The Sun reported that Henderson had previously confirmed Constitution Hill was back in work and that the Ebor was under consideration, only for the trainer to remove him before Tuesday’s noon cut-off.
Irish St Leger Route Now Left Open
The decision leaves September’s Irish St Leger at the Curragh as Constitution Hill’s only current major Flat entry, keeping his campaign on a more patient path after a high-profile switch back to the level.
It is a significant change because Constitution Hill had quickly become a market focal point for York, with bookmakers installing him near the head of the Ebor betting before the entry came out.
Henderson’s call also removes one of the most recognisable National Hunt names from the Ebor build-up, while Willie Mullins still has a strong hand among the early entries for a race he won last year.
For Constitution Hill, the story now shifts from an ambitious York handicap target to whether Henderson can have him ready for a Group-level autumn test in Ireland.
