Constitution Hill is set to encounter a significant challenge to his lofty ambitions on the flat when he lines up for the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park this Saturday, this time under the reins of a new rider, Billy Loughnane. The nine‑year‑old former champion hurdler, now trained by Nicky Henderson, has been unbeaten in his two flat starts since making the switch, but the Group Three race at the Sunbury course represents a substantial step up in class and distance. Until now the horse has been partnered by top‑level jockeys Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore during his flat campaign, but the official British Horseracing Authority entry list shows Loughnane’s name alongside Constitution Hill for the weekend. Loughnane’s agent, Tony Hind – who also manages Moore – confirmed the change, explaining that Henderson was happy to let the championship‑leading jockey step aside for Michael Buckley’s prized gelding.
"Ryan was our first pick, but he’s currently riding in the United States," Hind said. "So we offered Billy, who is already booked for the Sirenia Stakes, and Nicky gave his blessing this morning for Billy to take the ride." Among the rivals, the most eye‑catching is George Scott’s dominant Coronation Cup victor Bay City Roller, who is using the Kempton race as a prep run for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Saeed bin Suroor has entered the Group One‑winning Tornado Alert, with Oisin Murphy slated to ride, and the ever‑reliable Dubai Future also features in the field. Ralph Beckett will be represented by last year’s Great Voltigeur winner Pride Of Arras, while Owen Burrows’ Gethin and Joseph O'Brien’s Small Fry round out a strong contingent of fourteen runners slated for the mile‑and‑a‑half contest.
Gethin’s recent form was disappointing when he last ran in the Coral‑Eclipse at Sandown in early July, but Burrows remains optimistic that the horse will rediscover his best on this weekend’s softer ground, eyeing a possible future run in the Arc. Callum Rodriguez, who has piloted the Wathnan Racing‑owned grey to each of his three career victories to date, is expected to be back in the saddle. James Doyle, meanwhile, is likely to be earmarked for the Wathnan team’s Sprint Cup entry at Haydock later that afternoon.
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Burrows told Sky Sports Racing: "He’s in good shape. Callum gave him a workout last Wednesday because we thought James might be riding at Haydock for the Sprint Cup, and he was very pleased with the effort. "It’s been a little frustrating having to hold him back during the hotter months, but we knew the weather wouldn’t be an issue for this race, and I’m eager to see him back out. "He came out fine after the Eclipse.
If you look at the sectional times, the first four furlongs were quite demanding on a quickish surface, which is why we didn’t want to repeat that effort." On the prospect of facing Constitution Hill, Burrows added: "He certainly adds an extra dimension to the race and will make the start more interesting, but as any trainer will tell you, my goal is to beat the whole field, so if he’s there, he’s part of the competition. "It will be intriguing, and I’m hopeful. Wathnan purchased him with an Arc target in mind, so if Saturday goes well, I’d say that will be the next step for him." The William Hill September Stakes offers Constitution Hill a chance to prove that his early flat successes were no fluke and to gauge whether he can handle the step up to Group Three company over a mile and a half. A strong performance would bolster his credentials as a genuine dual‑code star and keep the conversation alive about his potential at the highest level of flat racing, possibly setting the stage for a future appearance in the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Conversely, a sub‑par run could highlight the challenges of transitioning from hurdles to top‑class flat races, giving Henderson and his connections valuable insight into the horse’s optimal distance and conditions. Either way, the race promises to be a compelling contest, with seasoned veterans and emerging talent alike lining up to test the mettle of one of the sport’s most intriguing recent conversions.