ITV Racing pundit Hayley Turner has suggested retirement could be the best option for Constitution Hill after the 2023 champion hurdler finished fourth of five on his highly-anticipated comeback at Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon.
The nine-year-old gelding, rated 175 at his peak over jumps, was outpaced in the final furlong of the Group Three William Hill September Stakes, which was won by 2025 Dante Stakes hero Pride Of Arras.
Pundit calls for retirement
Speaking on ITV Racing, Turner said she thought the best course of action would be to call it a day with the horse.
"I wouldn't be too fussed about running him again," Turner said on the channel. "He has done well. Do we want to keep running him in handicaps? Does he deserve turning out for what he has done? I'm sure that's not what they are going to do but he has served so well and he is a very popular horse and it would nice to see him bow out nicely."
Fellow pundit Mulrennan, whose husband Paul competes on the Flat, added: "I wouldn't completely disagree with Hayley to be honest. I want to remember what he did over hurdles, he was fantastic. We loved watching him. Do I really want to see him running around on the Flat getting beaten in handicaps? Probably not."
Trainer weighs up options
Constitution Hill's trainer Nicky Henderson suggested some "lucrative handicaps" could be an option going forward, with the horse now eligible for a handicap mark.
"He'll sharpen up," said Henderson. "He's going to be eligible for a handicap mark and it'll be interesting to see the reaction to that."
Rider Billy Loughnane said a trip further than the 1m 4f the five runners covered could benefit Constitution Hill.
"Stepping up in distance a little bit on the Flat might just suit him," he added. "He's got a very good rhythm and can maintain a good tempo for a long way."
Market reaction
Bookmakers cut the price of Pride Of Arras to 16-1 (from 66-1) for the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 17, as connections of Constitution Hill digested the result.
Nico de Boinville, on-board for the jump racing star's brilliant wins at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023, was in attendance with owner Michael Buckley.
