Top jockey Ryan Moore has provided his expert assessment on whether the celebrated racehorse Constitution Hill possesses the ability to succeed at Group race level on the Flat. This evaluation follows Moore riding the former Champion Hurdle winner to a commanding victory in a novice stakes event at Kempton Park on Wednesday, marking Constitution Hill's second win on the Flat.
A Crowd-Pleasing Performance at Kempton
The race attracted a substantial crowd of 1,477 spectators, which significantly exceeded the average Wednesday night attendance at the Sunbury track. Fans were treated to a dominant display as Constitution Hill, under Moore's guidance, secured a two-length victory as the heavy favourite at odds of 1-7. This triumph comes just 33 days after his impressive Flat debut win at Southwell, where he won by seven lengths.
Moore's Post-Race Analysis
After the race, Moore expressed satisfaction with Constitution Hill's performance, noting significant potential for improvement. "He moved well and I think there's a bit more improvement to come so we'd be happy with that," Moore stated. "We don't know what level he can compete at. We'll know more next time. I think he is very comfortable at 12f."
In his World Pool blog, Moore elaborated further, praising the horse's temperament and racing qualities. "Constitution Hill is a gentleman. He’s an old pro and a very sweet horse – he’s a lovely ride," he wrote. "He had a simple task at Kempton and he did it well. He moved beautifully and did everything right; he travelled nicely, quickened up well and you’d be very happy with the performance."
From Jumps Star to Flat Contender
Constitution Hill's transition to Flat racing follows a notable career in National Hunt racing, where he previously won ten consecutive races. However, his jumping career was marred by difficulties last season, including three falls in four races. These incidents prompted trainer Nicky Henderson to switch focus to the Flat, aiming to avoid further risks associated with hurdles.
Looking Ahead to Group Competition
The nine-year-old gelding is now poised for a significant step up in class, with plans to contest the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury on April 18. Moore remains cautiously optimistic about his prospects at this elevated level. "It will be step by step and his next run will tell us a lot more, but he’s certainly got enough pace to be competitive in Group races at a mile-and-a-half," he affirmed.
This strategic move highlights the careful planning behind Constitution Hill's campaign, as connections seek to maximise his potential while safeguarding his well-being. The racing community will be watching closely to see if this former jumps champion can translate his evident talent into success on the Flat's prestigious Group stage.
