Constitution Hill looks likely to face a serious examination of his big-race ambitions on the Flat when he goes for the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday, with new jockey Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
Nicky Henderson’s former superstar hurdler is two from two since switching to the level, but the Group Three contest at the Sunbury track represents a major step up.
The nine-year-old has been ridden by Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore so far in his new adventure, but Loughnane’s name appeared alongside the Seven Barrows runner for the weekend on the British Horseracing Authority administration site.
Loughnane’s agent Tony Hind, who also represents Moore, confirmed the switch saying that Henderson was happy for the championship-leading jockey to take over on Michael Buckley’s pride and joy.
“His first choice was Ryan who is riding in America,” he said. “So I offered him Billy who is definitely there riding in the Sirenia Stakes and Nicky confirmed this morning he was fine for Billy to ride.”
Leading the opposition is George Scott’s runaway Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller as he prepares for the Arc, while Saeed bin Suroor has entered the Group One-winning Tornado Alert, booking Murphy for the ride, and the evergreen Dubai Future.
Last year’s Great Voltigeur winner Pride Of Arras represents Ralph Beckett, with the Owen Burrows-trained Gethin and Joseph O’Brien’s Small Fry other smart performers among the 14 possibles for the mile-and-a-half feature.
Gethin disappointed when last seen contesting the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in early July, but Burrows is hopeful he will show his true colours this weekend ahead of a potential tilt at the Arc.
Callum Rodriguez, who has steered the Wathnan Racing-owned grey to each of his three career victories to date, is set to return to the saddle, with James Doyle likely to be required to ride for the Wathnan team in the Sprint Cup at Haydock on the same afternoon.
Burrows told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s in good shape. Callum had a sit on him last Wednesday because we thought James would be up at Haydock for the Sprint Cup and he was very happy with him.
“It’s been a bit frustrating we’ve had to sit on him during the hot months, but we knew we had no issues worrying about weather for this race and I’m looking forward to getting him back out.
“He was fine after the Eclipse. If you look at the sectionals it was pretty hard for the first four furlongs and quickish ground as well, hence why we didn’t want to go again on it.”
On the prospect of taking on Constitution Hill, Burrows added: “He obviously brings a nice dimension to the race and I’m sure it will add plenty on the gate, but like any trainer I just want to beat all the opposition, so if he’s in it then he’s included in that.
“It will be interesting, but I’m hopeful. Wathnan bought him with an Arc in mind, so if Saturday went well I dare say that will be his next step.”
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