Nicky Henderson identifies Windsor target for Constitution Hill

All eyes will be on Windsor in late August after Nicky Henderson nominated the Weatherbys Digital Solutions August Stakes as his preferred option for Constitution Hill’s eagerly-awaited next outing.

After lighting up the all-weather scene in his opening two runs on the Flat earlier this year, Henderson had been eyeing a possible tilt at York’s Sky Bet Ebor on August 22, but following a mid-season break ran out of time to squeeze in the third run that would qualify his 2023 Champion Hurdle hero for the Knavesmire handicap.

Having returned to the programme book, the Seven Barrows handler has now identified Windsor’s one-mile-three-furlong Listed event on the evening of August 29 as the ideal spot to get Constitution Hill’s Flat odyssey back on the road.

Henderson told the Press Association: “There are other options, but I think the Windsor race is the right one. The timing is good and it’s a race that looks good for him.

“It’s just down the road and we don’t have to travel too far and the Windsor ground hopefully tends to be quite kind. A figure of eight shouldn’t worry him and it’s one-mile-three which should be all right, but most importantly it’s a Listed race and that is ideal for him.

“We don’t need to be running in Group races yet that is for sure and he’s coming back from a break, so it’ll be the run that is getting him ready for whatever we are aiming at – and I don’t have any idea what we are aiming at yet!”

While the short trip across Berkshire to Windsor remains the preferred plan, Henderson will also hand Constitution Hill an entry for Deauville’s Group Two Prix Kergorlay on August 23, a race nominated by Ryan Moore as a possible option after he partnered the once hurdling great at Kempton in March.

“Ryan always thought the Prix Kergorlay would be a good race for him, but he can’t go to both Deauville and Windsor,” the trainer continued.

“We’ll put him in the Kergorlay this morning but I think Windsor would be my premier option and I just like the idea of running in a Listed race, which I think is the right level for him.

“After that he can run in a handicap and it opens up plenty of doors. Once you are rated over 100 you need those three runs before we can think of these heritage handicaps.”

Constitution Hill’s next outing will help signpost Henderson’s subsequent moves with the popular nine-year-old, with even the Melbourne Cup re-entering the equation following a visit to Seven Barrows by Racing Victoria officials on Monday.

The Prix Kergorlay carries ‘win and you’re in’ status for the ‘race that stops the nation’, while another way Constitution Hill could book his ticket to Australia’s flagship race is by winning a Listed event or placing in a Group-race event over 2,300 metres – something victory at Windsor would achieve.

Constitution Hill’s only current entry is for the Irish St Leger in mid-September and while considering future plans, Henderson added: “The people from Australia came to see us on Monday and one minute we think the Melbourne Cup will be fun and then the next a stupid idea, but there you go.

“Of course it will be fun, but it has to be sensible fun, and there also lots of other options in England, Ireland and France.

“You do have to bear in mind though he is nine and he’s enjoying himself and we’re going to enjoy it as well.”