Constitution Hill, the esteemed former Champion Hurdle winner, has been officially withdrawn from his highly anticipated debut at Group race level on the Flat. The star performer was scheduled to compete in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, commonly known as the John Porter Stakes, at Newbury this Saturday. However, trainer Nicky Henderson has made the decisive call to pull the horse from the race due to concerns over the ground conditions being too fast.
Ground Concerns Force Strategic Withdrawal
Following a detailed course inspection on Wednesday, Henderson concluded that the good ground at Newbury posed an unacceptable risk for Constitution Hill. The trainer emphasised the significant difference between good ground on the Flat and the conditions typically encountered in National Hunt racing. "He's not going to run, the ground is just too quick," Henderson stated. "He's a big boy and there's quite a difference between good ground on the Flat and good jumping ground, it's significant."
Henderson further explained that even if the race were held on Friday, when Newbury aims for good ground, it would still be unsuitable. By Saturday, the conditions were expected to quicken further, making participation unwise. "It would be quicker by the time of his race on Saturday, but he wouldn't have even run if his race was on Friday," he added.
Successful Transition to Flat Racing Halted
Constitution Hill has enjoyed a remarkably successful transition to Flat racing since moving from hurdles. The horse secured impressive all-weather victories at both Southwell and Kempton, demonstrating his versatility and talent on the new surface. Connections had been eager to see him progress in grade and make his turf debut in this prestigious Group 3 contest, marking a significant step in his burgeoning Flat career.
"It's sad, we're desperate to go and I appreciate people want to see him. We want to run him just as much, but we can't take any chances," Henderson remarked, acknowledging the disappointment for fans and the racing community.
Future Plans and Handicap Considerations
With the Newbury opportunity now off the table, Henderson is likely to pivot towards handicap races for Constitution Hill, who holds an official rating of 101. The trainer indicated he is examining potential options, though the current dry spell presents challenges. "I'm having a look for a race, there's a couple of handicaps he can run in, they are 0-100 so he'll be 1lb over so he can run in them but he'd be the first to get balloted out," Henderson explained.
One possibility mentioned was a race at Ripon next week, but ground conditions there are also reported as good, which Henderson equates to being insufficiently soft for his charge. "There's not much rain around," he noted, highlighting the widespread dry weather affecting planning.
Seasonal Break on the Horizon
If a suitable race cannot be found in the immediate future, Henderson plans to give Constitution Hill a break. The horse has been in training since September or October, and a rest period is deemed beneficial. "He will be having a break shortly. If we can't have a run now I think it's better to get out and come back in the autumn as he's been on the go since September/October," Henderson said.
Despite the setback, the trainer confirmed that Constitution Hill remains in excellent condition. "He's in great order and his work is terrific," Henderson assured, indicating that the horse's form and fitness are not in question, merely the suitability of the racing surface.
This withdrawal follows a period of challenging conditions for Henderson's National Hunt string, with the trainer noting, "It's been bad luck, we've been suffering for the last month trying to run our National Hunt horses. The good thing was the decision was not difficult." The priority remains the long-term welfare and career of Constitution Hill, with connections opting for caution over risk on this occasion.
