Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill Wins Kempton Comeback Race Impressively

Constitution Hill cruised to another victory in the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes at Kempton on Wednesday night, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner making it two wins from two on the Flat as a nine-year-old after falling in three of his last four runs over hurdles. Sent off the 1-7 favourite, Ryan Moore came in for the ride in place of the suspended Oisin Murphy, and Nicky Henderson's star beat Classical Allusion by two lengths.

With Murphy serving a ban, Moore settled Constitution Hill just off the pace in fifth in the mile-and-a-half contest, with Roadlesstravelled leading the way around the floodlit Kempton polytrack. Moore switched off the inside at the top of the straight and moved easily to the front to a roar from the crowd, nudging the son of Blue Bresil out under hands and heels to win by two lengths from Classical Allusion.

Constitution Hill had sparkled at Southwell last month on his Flat debut, claiming a comfortable 9.5-length win in the hands of Murphy. He had fallen in three of his last four hurdle runs, which proved pivotal in the decision to end his National Hunt career and focus on a future on the Flat. He has now racked up a total prize money figure of £881,823 across his career.

An extra 1,000 spectators came through the gates at Kempton to see the star attraction, and Moore was fulsome in his praise afterwards. "He's a gentleman and I think the horse is enjoying his runs on the Flat," Moore said. "He moves really well and there will be plenty more improvement to come. He went to the line with his ears pricked." "I think he's very comfortable at 12 furlongs," Moore added of the slowly-run race.

Henderson was visibly relieved: "The crowd here tonight, it means a lot," he said. "He's had a year of not enjoying his racing terribly and you can understand why, and if he's enjoying that then that's great for us." "At least we are finding something that as a nine-year-old he can enjoy," Henderson continued. "It's wonderful that these old horses, who have been going that long, do become favourites."

Murphy, who served the eight-day whip-related suspension that kept him out of Kempton, had been bullish beforehand. Murphy had steered Constitution Hill to his electric victory on Flat debut at Southwell a month ago before his ban intervened. The Racing Post quoted him as saying Constitution Hill would "blow Kempton rivals away" and that he thought the gelding "might be even better on turf."

Classical Allusion was the only other previous winner in the field. The Andrew Balding-trained gelding had broken his maiden at Southwell, but completed the course three seconds slower than Constitution Hill when carrying just 1lb more.

The big question now for connections is where to go next, with Newbury on April 18 appearing to be in pole position. Henderson said: "The John Porter would still be my favourite option and Ryan's words to me would be something like the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot would be a step too far in distance." Henderson also acknowledged the emotion of the occasion: "There's a lot of relief. It's been a funny old few days and one of his sparring partners who was here at Christmas isn't here anymore," he said, referring to Sir Gino, who died on Tuesday.

Foaled on March 17, 2017, Constitution Hill is one of the highest-rated hurdlers ever, recording his biggest victory when winning the 2023 Champion Hurdle. Wednesday's performance, understated as it was in a slowly-run novice contest, confirmed that his new vocation suits him just as well. With Moore alongside Henderson plotting the summer campaign, a sterner test on better ground will reveal just how high the Flat ceiling goes.