Constitution Hill Returns to Familiar Kempton for Second Flat Start
Kempton Park officials are eagerly anticipating the return of Constitution Hill for his second Flat outing this Wednesday evening. The nine-year-old gelding, trained by Nicky Henderson, will face seven rivals in the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes as he continues his transition from hurdling to Flat racing.
From Hurdling Hero to Flat Contender
Constitution Hill has been a familiar and successful presence at Kempton throughout his career, having captured the prestigious Christmas Hurdle at the Sunbury venue on Boxing Day on three separate occasions. However, with his hurdling days now behind him following three falls in his last four races, the horse is now concentrating entirely on Flat racing.
His debut on the Flat at Southwell last month was nothing short of spectacular, with Constitution Hill delivering a stunning performance that immediately caught the attention of racing enthusiasts and officials alike. The victory was so impressive that it has raised expectations for his second outing.
Ryan Moore Takes the Reins
With regular jockey Oisin Murphy currently suspended, the ride has been handed to Ryan Moore, who will attempt to guide Constitution Hill to another victory against seven opponents. The horse has been installed as the overwhelming 1-4 favourite for the race, which is scheduled as the sixth event on an eight-race card with a planned start time of 7.30pm.
Barney Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton, expressed his admiration for Constitution Hill's Southwell performance, stating: "What he did at Southwell was sensational, he really impressed me and I was giving him a Group Three figure straight away. Obviously he's got to build on that and it's nice that this race has slotted into his programme to get him a handicap mark."
Familiar Territory for the Star Performer
Clifford noted that Constitution Hill has previous experience at Kempton beyond his competitive successes, having worked on the gallops there before the Cheltenham Festival. "He obviously worked here on the gallops morning before the Cheltenham Festival and Nico (de Boinville) always said it was a bit slow for him, so he obviously copes with the surface," Clifford added.
The course official also welcomed the competitive nature of the race, with eight of the nine initial entries having been confirmed. "It's nice people are taking him on – it's not a two-runner race or anything. I know there were only nine initial entries, but eight of those have been confirmed which is great."
Increased Interest and Attendance Expected
Clifford is optimistic that Constitution Hill's considerable fan base will ensure Kempton experiences higher than usual attendance for a midweek evening all-weather meeting. "I think pre-bookings have increased since the news came out that he was coming. I'm sure there will be an enhanced attendance," he remarked.
In a video shared on Kempton's social media platforms, trainer Nicky Henderson expressed confidence in his charge: "He's in great form and I think and hope that he's looking forward to an outing at Kempton on Wednesday. He knows Kempton very, very well, not only from the Christmas Hurdles that he's won there in the past, but he knows the all-weather well there as well as we've galloped him there several times in our pre-Cheltenham gallops morning there."
Henderson continued: "He likes going there, he's in good shape and Ryan Moore is going to ride him which is good, as he can hopefully tell us what we need to know. We're very much looking forward to a night out and I'm sure he is. It's all systems go, I hope it will be a fun evening for him and it will be for us if he can come home in front."
The transition from hurdling to Flat racing represents a new chapter in Constitution Hill's career, and all eyes will be on Kempton Park this Wednesday evening to see if he can replicate his Southwell success at a venue where he has already created so many memorable moments.
