Constitution Hill under Ryan Moore at Kempton
Constitution Hill under Ryan Moore at Kempton

Windsor Listed race entry for Constitution Hill but doubts remain due to dry weather


Constitution Hill features among the 19 entries for a Listed race at Windsor on Saturday.

Trained by Nicky Henderson for owner Michael Buckley, Constitution Hill made a deep impression in two all-weather novice races following a high-profile switch from hurdling to the Flat earlier this year.

After storming to a nine and a half-length victory under Oisin Murphy at Southwell on February 20, he was partnered by Ryan Moore when following up under a penalty as the 1/7 favourite at Kempton a month later, since then he's been on the sidelines with connections not wishing run run on quick turf.

Photos galore as Constitution Hill returns to a tremendous reception
READ: Constitution Hill sends crowd into delirium on strange evening at Southwell

This Saturday's Weatherbys August Stakes over a distance of 1m 3f 99y had been earmarked as a potential starting point for Constitution Hill ahead of an autumn campaign and there is no shortage of possible opposition following Monday's first confirmation stage.

Henderson said: "We’ve always said we’d like to go to Windsor, but this dry spell, as everybody knows, just keeps going on and on.

“I’ve been speaking to Charlie Rees [Clerk of the Course at Windsor] and we’re keeping a close eye on the forecast. There is some rain around, but it’s going to be sporadic and it needs to come fairly soon. Otherwise, we’re going to start getting worried.

“He’s a big, heavy horse. We need the ground to be on the easy side of good, and it simply isn’t that at the moment.

“We want to make a decision as early as possible, for everybody’s sake. There’s no point getting into a situation where we’re umming and ahhing on Friday and then taking him out on Saturday morning.

“We appreciate that he’s very popular and that people will want to go and see him. The last thing we want to do is take him out at the last minute because the rain hasn’t materialised."

The nine-year-old's rivals could include Group 1 winner White Birch who would be making his debut for new trainer Jamie Osborne following a 300,000gns switch at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale last year.

Also among the entries are the Willie Mullins-trained Gaucher, Charlie Appleby's Arabian Crown, Warrant Holder for John & Thady Gosden, Shadwell stalwart Al Aasy and Amo Racing's Ghostwriter from the yard of Kevin Philippart de Foy.


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