Nicky Henderson rues Constitution Hill’s steep handicap rise
Nicky Henderson has maintained that “the dream is still alive” for Constitution Hill even as he rued a 7lb rise in the handicap that has limited his future options.
Henderson is in no hurry to identify Constitution Hill’s next assignment after his official rating was raised to 108 following his fourth in Saturday’s Group 3 William Hill September Stakes at Kempton.
The nine-year-old was handed a rating of 101 by the handicapper after back-to-back victories in all-weather novices this year, but has jumped up again following his latest outing in which he finished five and three-quarter lengths behind Pride Of Arras, who has been raised 3lb to 117.
It was the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner’s first defeat on the Flat, but his performance under Billy Loughnane was deemed to be an improvement on his previous showings considering he was clashing with proven Group performers for the first time
A plan for Constitution Hill, who posted a Racing Post Rating of 109, 6lb higher than for his runaway Flat debut win at Southwell in February, had yet to be decided but a trip to Australia for the Lexus Melbourne Cup is off the table as he did not finish in the first three.
Speaking to the Racing Post on Tuesday morning, Henderson said: “Unfortunately we know we can’t go to Australia, and it’s probably the right thing, but ironically he’s now up to a handicap mark off which he would’ve got in.
“The handicapper is saying what happened, and that is that he’s run a hell of a race. It shows how much they rate the performance.”
An official mark of 108 rules Constitution Hill out of 0-105 handicaps, in which the topweight can race off 2lb higher with a mark of 107, but some top-end handicaps, such as the November Handicap at Doncaster on November 7, allow runners rated higher than 105.
However, the Lambourn trainer was surprised at how much Constitution Hill was raised by the assessor and could look away from handicaps for his next outing.
Henderson said: “It probably eliminates handicaps for us, I’d imagine. We’ll have a good look at the options, but it’ll be in races between a mile and a half and a mile and six. We’d also like to go back on turf with him.
“We knew he’d go up in the ratings, but my initial reaction was that he’d go up 3lb or 4lb. In most of those handicaps, a mark of 105 is the highest. He can run in one, but it’s going to be mighty competitive with where he’s gone now.”
Henderson was thrilled with the performance of the Michael Buckley-owned gelding and is looking forward to what the remainder of the year has in store.
“He’s come out of the race fantastic and he’s in great form,” said Henderson. “We think he’ll come on quite a lot in reflection, and I think going back on turf will help. It’s all systems go. The dream is still very much alive and we’re going to crack on.”