Constitution Hill entered at kempton

race was slowly run..visually wasnt as impressive as southwell...wouldnt have suited winner or 2nd.

Cons hill to win a gr1 1000/1..to win a gr3 will be a struggle..imo

Good news frico. You don't need to understand that distance bet. Winning margin 2 lengths so you done yer dough no matter what. Frico patting himself on the back for bagging 1-5. Slick got 4-5 ydc. Wd slick. Cheers.

2l according to the RP.  Wet firework imo, ok for those social media types on course.

Save your shoes,buy an electric scooter for them shops
with the winnings.

Moore was never winning half the track if its being aimed at handicaps.

Be like me racing irons over 100m, even though he's a big tub of obese lard I'd only do him a metre and a half.

race 1 beat trees, race 2 beat 1 ok horse (maybe) and trees. Hype will ensure handicapper can't be generous. Ryan may well say enough to send the horse into retirement.

Steadman desperately trying to sound knowledgeable

Handicapped based on hype ?

Probably has to be handicapped on what it has shown on the track as opposed to how good Rishi Persad thinks it is.

mebbe i shud stick to aftertiming on Fantasy Island.

btw,tattoo sez when did ewe last have a bath as ewe fckn stink.

ydc.

its beat a horse prob rated 85+ 2L..cons will struggle to win a group race.

can he get a mark now?

The RPR and Timeform ratings of ~105 seem more about hype than performance, based on what we've seen so far.

Presumably also, the horse won't run on fast ground, which likely rules out a lot of flat races.

That was a mile and a half exercise gallop Rico.
I'd reserve Group race judgement until it runs over a sufficient trip.

I think a faster run race on turf over 1M 6F on softish ground might be ideal. Top class handicaps could work as he is a large horse so carrying 10st will be easy.
It will be interesting.... Thankfully world class flat jockeys on his back from now on.

He should be given a mark after 2 runs and wins but some major handicaps insist on 3 runs I think. The other horses were not good enough to box him in today but if they rode him like that against 80-100 rated handicappers he would struggle to get a run. I can't wait to see the second horse in a 14 furlong handicap down the line. The handicapper has a puzzle as the third is still a maiden after 16 previous attempts in bumpers and hurdles as well as one on the flat before today. If they use him as a mark, the ratings would be 80, 75 and 60 for the first 3 home.

hulk, what do you call a sufficient trip? A top class 2 mile hurdler is usually at its best over 12 furlongs on the flat. He might win a handicap over 14 furlongs but I would not back him at 20/1 in a 2 mile Group race.

Rules for a mark after 2 wins usually stipulate below a certain rating but AI says he will now get a mark.

a mile and a half is as far as he needs to go

The Ascot Gold Cup suggestions are ludicrous

Hey frico you got 1-5? Bit big for you isn't it. Probably best sticking to 1.03's in future with your drone holding you by the hand. We don't want you pushing the boat out too often.

Yes uti - barely stayed 2 m 4 f over hurdles. No chance in a G1 on the flat. Nor will the horse ever run on flat good ground.

Run on Poly & Tapeta don't see why he won't run on good ground.

Because he's a heavy topped horse, whose connections will be desperate to protect him from injury.

If they're worried about good ground for a flat campaign,he could
be forever in his box.

That is the Henderson way

But yes, they could be looking at Spring & Autumn races.

I don't see genuine good ground stopping him running,meself.

hulk23 25 Mar 26 20:08 
That was a mile and a half exercise gallop Rico.
I'd reserve Group race judgement until it runs over a sufficient trip.

ewe really posted that?

Was evens to beat superstars Lossiemouth and Wodhooh at Liverpool last year.

Over one mile further.  And may well have done so (won 2023 race over 2.5 miles) but for falling. 

Barely gets 2 miles though.

Apparently.

cons hill is similar to rico..age catching up..not the man he used to be..

Mar 25, 2026 -- 10:08PM, penzance wrote:

Run on Poly & Tapeta don't see why he won't run on good ground.

a/w is a far more forgiving surface

hendo had eloise quayle watering g/s, soft pl ground for the fighting fifth a few years ago
that be proper soft bordering on being called heavy on the flat

you're dreaming if you think hendo is going to run him on flat good ground

Cons hill to win a gr1 1000/1...... are you talking England or England/Ireland/ European/USA ?

USA Gr 1? Have a zillion.

Henderson knows what he is doing, can anyone remember Carraciola, a horse bought in from Germany? A NH horse but at the age of 10 after running many top hurdle races he was sent to the flat and finished runner up in both the Ascot Stakes and the Cesarewitch, then won the Cesarewitch as an 11 year old before winning the Queen Alexadra at the age of 12.

He also won the Cesarewitch with two primarily 2m hurdlers, Landing Light 8yo and Buzz 7yo.

Has until April 13th to have an entry in the John Porter.

Yeah backed Buzz , but he suffered factured pelvis too .....

carraciola, landing light, buzz

all ex-flat horses that went jumping

When he's entered & it's genuine Good ground we'll see if
he's a N/R.

former hurdler won the BC turf last year swifty

Mar 26, 2026 -- 1:54PM, penzance wrote:

When he's entered & it's genuine Good ground we'll see ifhe's a N/R.

won't even be in training

So they must be retiring him then?

They might have to give him a break at some point - he's already been in full training for months for the NH season.

Mar 26, 2026 -- 2:29PM, penzance wrote:

So they must be retiring him then?

they've already announced he's having summer break
after john porter (if he runs)

Why not leave it to the Trainer instead of all this pointless speculation?

uptheirons • March 26, 2026 1:42 PM GMT
Why not leave it to the Trainer instead

that's why he's in this mess

ʷᵃˡᵒᶠˢ 

howard, that is true, but he was more flat-bred, be amazed if CH had the speed for anything like that.

I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't win another race, gets jarred up and they call it a day, and rightfully so, they've had their fun with him.

However, bookmakers have priced up 2026 season specials, with Betway offering 4-5 for Constitution Hill to win a Group race on the Flat this year, which would include the John Porter.

His Kempton success also saw his odds for a Group 1 win in 2026 cut to 8-1 (from 10-1), while he is a 20-1 shot for the Ascot Gold Cup.


Super value from Rico

ask betway if rico can have £5,000 @ evens it doesnt.

Over-riding impression was one of disappointment, trying to second guess Moore and Henderson it felt that they thought the same, Moore is always understated but he left the impression of not being impressed and it definitely sounded like he wouldn't fancy him going up in trip and Henderson was already beginning to go down the road of "as long as the horse is enjoying himself".

It was rather painful watching the RUK mob desperately trying to be as positive as humanly possible but, slowly run or not, the truth is that the idea of this horse making any meaningful impression in his flat career looks less likely today as it did a day ago IMO.

dissapointing  thought hed win more comfortable. The 86 rated hurdler(2 P.UPS and beaten out of sight) Keep It Cool running on hardly lost any ground to C.H up the straight.

Moore is always understated but he left the impression of not being impressed

korr wrecked.

Always thought some like Kempton and some less so.  Different surface to Southwell innit ?

A more realistic analysis by Moore and connections yesterday. Maybe the potential of Constitution Hill is pretty much reached. Nevertheless, I'd expect a bit more "spinning" to come from Hendo.

Everyone knows CH is not flat bred. These AW tracks are even further away from his breeding. For me the two runs so far only show his wellbeing and not the true measure of the ability he might still have.  10-12 furlongs on soft ground should be the only way for him to be rated/judged!

penzance • March 25, 2026 9:22 PM GMT
I don't see genuine good ground stopping him running,meself.

wondersobright • March 26, 2026 10:24 AM GMT
you're dreaming if you think hendo is going to run him on flat good ground

penzance • March 26, 2026 12:54 PM GMT
When he's entered & it's genuine Good ground we'll see if
he's a N/R.

woken up yet?

You got something right.
WD.
Medals in the post

Looking like a flat campaign starting in October.

penzance • April 16, 2026 10:00 AM BST
WD.

ta

Might be dropped a few pounds after that thing got beat out of sight

I feel the form is starting to work out with the 6th winning a handicap off 69!

The Fav pulled like a mustang today and the run can be ignored

Has anyone heard of targets mentioned recently for Constitution Hill?

I do understand why he was withdrawn at Newbury but I predicted this business of sitting on the
subs' bench while suitable opportunities come & go...and there've been plenty since Newbury.

The 12f G3 at Longchamp earlier today was run on ground described as very soft and was won by the
108 rated Best Secret and a field of similar standard to those he'd planned to face in the John Porter.

Alas, I'd be confident that Henderson wasn't even aware of the chance earlier to step up in grade and
tackle some decent rivals as he's so closed-minded not to even consider going to Ireland, France or
around Europe where the likelihood of a suitable surface is nigh on guaranteed as well as facing easier
opposition...especially in excess of 12f.

There shouldn't be any fear of losing an unbeaten record as it's inevitable he'll be bested in time as
all horses are...and it's meaningless as he's not going to stud, being devoid of a couple of avocados.

Henderson's permanent over-caution is becoming extremely tiresome as he lacks any foresight to anticipate
the bleedin' obvious (in not following the ground) and that means that he'll inevitably be whining about
the lack of suitable opportunities over the next 4/5 months - what's happened so far has been so boringly
predictable.

I was realistic in not expecting too many runs at home until Autumn due to ground conditions but I had hopes
we might see a bit more of him when he got his ground and over a range of trips between 10-16f yet it's been
nothing but a fiasco so far...and that's exactly what I expected from Henderson!

Buckley mentioned the Melbourne Cup as a pipedream (always gonna be unlikely) and I think he should look
elsewhere in future for a trainer who's got some balls instead of a doommonger who's vacuumed all his optimism.

Hendo's got a lot of form for cowardice over the years and I was one of those who thought his critics were being
a bit too harsh on him until I realised the evidence of that was overwhelming.
Nobody's questioning his ability as a trainer or his care for his horses (long term) but he's incredibly negative.

Last week he withdrew Jonbon at Sandown because of the ground...so why didn't he reroute to Punchestown?
His default seems to be ultra-caution about every possible objective and he never has a plan-B!

Someone needs to have a word with Buckers as this opportunity is stagnating in which is becoming a race against
time - he's 9yo yet I still think that an adventurous trainer could turn him into a globe-trotting moneyspinner.

I've been saying for years that this fella could clean up in France over trips in excess of 12f (thereby avoiding
possible Arc contenders) and I've always believed his best chance of a G1 would be the Irish Leger or the Prix Royal
Oak - his entire game-plan should've been with those big prizes as his main targets.

At least TRY as there's nothing to lose - this is so frustrating!

Hendo has clearly much to learn from Herbie

I'm tired of the shenanigans of his trainer. A one-time invincible hurdler, then messed about by his trainer and fell consecutively in two big races, and not winning a couple of mickey-mouse races. But, chicken-out of the John Porter yet paraded as if the horse was a world-beater on the Flat.

Just retire the horse or send him to another trainer overseas. Hendo is out of his depth!

Yes, if I owned it and was paying the high bills likely at Seven Barrows I would insist on entering in every suitable race and running ASAP. Firstly to find out if it has a real future and secondly to hopefully get some prize money. Otherwise give it to a suitable rider as a hack.

Henderson's right out of his depth,only won just shy of a Mil with the
horse.

is anyone seriously saying that Buckley is not onboard with what Henderson is doing?

We might see the horse run again come October lol, in the softest listed race they can find....

Probably too polite to question the master trainer but please explain to me why you would wrap a 9yo in cotton wool? Run it in the first suitable race (with going the only criterion for not doing so) and on the evidence of that run, either press on and win some prize money or retire. He is a gelding so zero breeding interest. Test the handicap rating first, then if good enough try a Listed or Group 3.

He is a gelding so zero breeding interest.

😆

Has the proper thing not been done yet???? Retirement the only logical option.

UTI - yes he & Buckers might well learn something from listening to common sense from average béllends like
most of us on here though my heightened paranoia antennae detect a possiblity of sarcasm so I ask...are you
satisfied with how this new adventure has gone so far and will you settle for a couple of runs in the Autumn?

I'd like to know what comments I've made which people disagree with as I see it all as totally objective.

As Sageform said...why is a 9yo 'flat horse' being wrappd in cotton wool, especially when it's a race against time?

I didn't previously think so but maybe a change of trainer/scenery might be the best option as the word I used 'stagnating'
is precisely what we're witnessing - this has become shambolic!

I love the horse like many others do and he's literally one in a million - arguably the best since I started an
interest in the late 70s and I desperately want to see him enjoy his last few years on the flat - so where's the problem?

Slickster - I really don't understand why you think retirement is the 'only logical option' - that's ridiculous!

Aberdonian - I beleive Buckley is totally loyal to Hendo and trusts his judgement...but he MUST be getting impatient.

Penzance - he could've earned a lot more!

The arrogance of posters thinking they know more than Hendo is astounding and shows why most lose on here

UTI - I really would like to know what you think I've said which is unfair on Henderson...or the entire rigmarole we're witnessing.

It was ironic that when the horse was at his zenith and could have gone to Ireland to take on Honeysuckle as a novice they instead chose to wrap him in the tightest of cotton wool but when he began to fall repeatedly, they repeatedly kept dusting him off and throwing him back out there.

Could have done so much more with him while the sun was shining, it's a shame that we saw more of him when it was all going wrong and they were chasing their losses.

Hindsight is a marvelous gift

PITMANS DERBY

But what is the objective? Either to find out if he is a group horse on the flat or to win some big prize money in handicaps. So far they have done neither. Winning 2 AW novices raised attendance at the courses but served no real purpose.

The Northumberland Plate would really stretch him, they start racing as soon as they turn in and that'll be a long pull up the straight for him, remember the dawdle around Aintree over 20f where he didn't finish full of running resulting in a disappointing set of connections as they realized that the glory of the 3 mile prizes over fences was off the table and Ryan Moore's somewhat muted enthusiasm when he said that he should continue at 12f.

AI overview...."Following a successful transition to Flat racing, superstar horse Constitution Hill is taking a well-earned summer break, ending his 2026 jumps career early to focus on an autumn campaign. Nicky Henderson indicated the horse would take a holiday after featuring on the flat before returning, aiming to avoid chasing summer ground".......
..keen followers of Constitution Hill should already know this!!

Indeed they should.
Unfortunately,many on here think that they know more about training than Hendo

Key Summer Break Details (2026):
Final Appearance: He made a final public meet-and-greet appearance at Sandown's jump finale in April.

Holiday Location: He is turned out in a paddock, often at Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire, typically starting in early May.

Return Plans: He is expected back at Seven Barrows at the start of August following his break.

Future Focus: With jumping days on hold, he is likely to target autumn flat races, with possibilities including the Irish St Leger in September.

He is expected to skip the peak summer heat and return for an autumn campaign, avoiding the risks of jumping following his recent flat victories.

Constitution Hill cannot be classed as a special horse on the flat. He's run two races on the AW against average flat horses. Nothing special about this.

He was once a very good hurdler over 2m. Then he suffered a series of falls which knocked his confidence permanently.

the horse did complete in ireland....was out with the washing.

UTI - how many times are you gonna repeat that tiresome phrase ("many on here think that they know
more about training than Hendo") yet still refuse to address any of the fair points I've raised??

Of course I'm not suggesting that I know more about training horses than Henderson but I'd be quite
sure I'd know the flat racing calendar (UK & International) better than him!
I'm bored of reading shíte like that...while you're satisfied with how things have so far transpired!

It's akin to daring to ask a medic just wtf is in those jabs and can you provide reassurance about wide-
spread 'rumours' & stats...yet you'll still wait patiently in line, say fcuk all and roll up your sleeve!
Then you'll be puzzled why you think you have 'Long-Covaids' - bewildering!
I ALWAYS question authority...and more people should.

I'm questioning whether anyone he's prepared to listen to is qualified to advise him.
Maybe Chapman should step up as he has his ear? Like Matt, I AM qualified to ASK!

It's a racing forum FFS and there's fcuk all wrong with speculating and wondering what's happening but we're
getting ignored when many want to know about the horse's wellbeing and his future plans.

As I've said several times...this situation has been so frustratingly predictable and I've called that for
years, but let's focus instead since his Southwell debut on 20th February - it's UNDENIABLY been a damp squib!

My main problem with him is not just his ultra-caution & being devoid of an foresight in anticipating when
the groung is likely go títs-up, it's also his 'couldn't give a shít' attitude towards the racing public.
Henderson seems like an affable guy to me but I suspect he's the last of that dying breed who were used to
telling us fcuk all, yet believed we should be honoured by their presence - it's just not the way nowadays.

I haven't heard him express reservations about travelling afar (boats & planes) so can't we ask why?
Just say something! In a nutsac, Sageform got it in one when he mentioned a 9yo flat gelding being
wrapped in cotton wool - incomprehensible!

I'm tearing the rest of my hair out with this shít

Give him a call Herbie,I am certain he will appreciate the views of such an expert

You also make lots of wild assumptions.
You knowing the Flat Racing Calendar better than Hendo confirms you as yet another certifiable loon,Herbie

UTI - I can assure you that I DO know the calendar (ALL international G1 races) and I've an encyclopedic knowledge
of various aspects of racing...whether it be obscure facts, form, breeding etc. and that's despite being a forgetful
old fcuk nowadays who struggles to remember who won at the weekend!

But test me from 40 yrs ago and I could provide plenty of 'ungoogleable' facts/form which very few on here could match.
That's a gauntlet you won't wanna pick up and believe me, I AM qualified to express my opinion...cos it's right!

PS - there's a very appropriate bet running at Fontwell in a few minutes that is begging to win

There's a cert running at Fontwell in a minute

I did mention it in a post before that is under review from the mod's

From what I've heard, I'd be surprised if Nicky knows what day it is half the time..

If the inference being that he's got a touch of the Biden's...then that'd explain everything

I'd expect any half serious flat racing watcher to have a fair shout at least of knowing the flat racing calender better than hendo, especially the races that this horse would be expected to be aimed at.

Wouldn't the Ormonde have been a decent shout for the horse this week, the ground at this meeting is often good or worse, mile 5, sharp track, I'd have thought he'd have enjoyed swinging around there.

If they have decided to wait until the autumn then that is an end to speculation for now but the John Porter was talked up by all and sundry after his 2 AW runs. What happened to that plan?

You will have a clue when it gets an entry.
Quite why people are getting wound up about it is mystery

UTI - looks like Buckers has tuned into this thread

And as for your comment about 'getting wound up'...that may be so, but it's been very frustrating for many fans to have
followed this fiasco and seen it having panned out exactly as I predicted. I'm surmising you're not a big fan...but you're
also failing to realise that it's a race against time as a 9yo with special needs - the horse...not YOU

I've just read the headline (copied below) in the RP but sensibly, I'm not a subscriber as their journalists & pundits
aren't too knowledgeable, so I can't access the rest of the article where I'd assume we'd get the meat & two veg.

Wouldn't mind seeing the rest of it if someone can oblige

"Constitution Hill in a Flat race in Germany? Imagine explaining that to racing fans two or three years ago.

It seems a trip to Germany could be on the cards after owner Michael Buckley revealed the possibility while speaking to
Sky Sports Racing at Newbury following God Given Talent’s impressive 28-1 debut success.

“Nicky told me there’s a nice race in Germany closing, in Cologne at the end of August,” Buckley said.

You can listen to what Buckley had to say below"



It's a start at least...and it also shows that the strategy I've suggested wasn't so off-target as many
have suggested...and I've been harping on about that for years!

That said...I can't help wonder what he's gonna be doing for the next couple of months when there's still
gonna be easy surfaces around Europe to pounce on in listed/group races, depending on how ambitious they
are...or even get some experience in a valuable handicap or two and so evaluate his optimal trip.

Herbievore still thinks he knows more than Hendo

Found the interview on Twáttér with Buckers:

https://x.com/i/status/2055300281324146856

He does...and a lot more than YOU who won't even discuss any criticism
because you're incapable...and a 9yo with special needs

To describe Herbiebore as a deluded moron would be flattering.
Still.Herbiebore knows best