It had been expected that 75 year old storied British horseracing trainer Nicky Henderson would see Champion Hurdle winner, Constitution Hill, take to the Flat on Turf at Windsor for a first start this coming Saturday, but the lack of rain has been a significant concern for him so far.
The 2026 racing calendar is finally with us, but Henderson has now announced that the ‘will he, won’t he’ Windsor saga is now over as he is targeting Kempton instead – especially given the non-availability of both Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore also factoring into his decision.
With the decision now made to bypass the Windsor event on Saturday, undoubtedly there will be spectators and horse racing betting punters out there who are very disappointed with the announcement, but they will likely more than understand Henderson’s concerns and preference to wait a week for the Group 3 William Hill September Stakes at Kempton when we tick into next month.
The nine year old superstar had featured on the list of 19 entries for the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes on Monday, and even though it has been predicted that up to 31mm could hit Windsor this week, Henderson remained concerned that the ground conditions would still not be sufficiently soft after extended heatwaves that the country have faced, and he was not prepared to risk it.
The hugely experienced Lambourn trainer also highlighted the lack of Murphy and Moore – prior experience of Constitution Hill on the Flat – owing to their alternative engagements as being a further reason that it would be a risk too far for him.
Taking to social media, he explained.
“Kempton is obviously going to be a highly competitive Group 3, but we have got to start somewhere in order to find out where he belongs and establish an autumn campaign. We are hoping that one of the two jockeys who know him could be available for the September Stakes, which they are unlikely to be this weekend. We all think he is in excellent shape and although he will undoubtedly benefit from this run. he is ready to do himself justice.”
Constitution Hill had initially been installed as favourite for the Monday event, but drifted in the odds with both Sky Bet and Paddy Power as Tuesday morning rolled around, but with the decision taken and announced then another of Henderson’s concerns – the possibility of a very late withdrawal – has been taken off the table and everyone now knows the lie of the land.
Constitution Hill’s next outing will be his third appearances since the decision was taken to switch him to the flat and following his success at Southwell back in February, allied for a second victory in a 1m4f novice at Kempton in March, they will continue to hope that third time remains a charm when the conditions are right and, importantly, without risk.
The 2023 Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle winner now steps up to Group 3 company for the first time, and dreams of a potential and possible crack at the Lexus Melbourne Cup much later in the year remain on the roadmap.
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