Constitution Hill features among a potential field of 11 for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury, with Paddy Power making him a 7/1 shot.
Connections of the nine-year-old have seemingly had this weekend's 12-furlong Group 3, registered as the John Porter, on the agenda since his impressive switch to the Flat at Southwell in February and, having since won well under a penalty at Kempton late last month, Newbury looks the next port of call for local trainer Nicky Henderson.
Former Champion Hurdle hero Constitution Hill will not have it all his own way, however, with the William Haggas-trained Al Aasy - an eight-time Group 3 winner including this event in 2021 - also among the entries.
Al Aasy, also nine years of age, still commands a BHA rating of 115, a full stone higher than the mark Constitution Hill (101) was given following his wins at Southwell and Kempton, while Karl Burke has entered the 116-rated four-year-old Convergent.
Haggas has another option in the shape of Tenability, Ralph Beckett could call on the 115-rated Great Voltigeur winner Pride Of Arras, who like Convergent (Clifford Lee) is already jockey up under Rossa Ryan, while Andrew Balding has a couple of highly-rated options with Bellum Justum (108) and Eydon (114) also in the mix.
James Owen has entered Burdett Road for owners the Gredley Family, John & Thady Gosden have Lion's Pride (114) in the race, while George Scott could call upon the Bahrain Group 3-winning four-year-old Phantom Flight (111).
The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old mare Beset, a three-length Listed winner at Naas last month, is the sole possible representative from Ireland.
Beset is a Listed winner once again, leading home a 1-2 for @JosephOBrien2 in our €50,000 @IrishEBF_ Devoy Stakes pic.twitter.com/7DSKIy6REf
— Naas Racecourse (@NaasRacecourse) March 22, 2026
Paddy Power make Constitution Hill a 7/1 chance, with the market topped by Convergent at 2/1 and Al Aasy 3/1.
Spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Constitution Hill changing codes has aroused much public interest and huge crowds, but the John Porter is a much stiffer test against the likes of Convergent and Al Aasy and with his price of 7/1 this time reflecting that, this contest might determine if he continues in Group company or goes down the handicap route."
John Porter Stakes
Paddy Power odds: 2/1 Convergent, 3/1 Al Aasy, 9/2 Pride Of Arras, 5/1 Eydon, 7/1 Constitution Hill, Phantom Flight, 10/1 Lion’s Pride, 16/1 Bellum Justum, Tenability, 20/1 Burdett Road.
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
