Constitution Hill was forced to accept a clear fourth‑place finish behind Pride Of Arras in his much‑anticipated third flat start at the William Hill September Stakes, held at Kempton Park. The Nicky Henderson‑trained star, who dazzled in his hurdling prime, has remained one of the sport’s most compelling attractions since making the switch to the flat. However, this Group Three contest represented a significant step up from his earlier victories at Southwell and his previous win at Kempton in February and March. When the race began, odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the early lead over the mile‑and‑a‑half distance.
Constitution Hill, starting at 9‑2, sat close behind the leaders alongside Billy Loughnane, staying within striking distance as the field turned for home. By the two‑furlong marker, there was a fleeting glimmer of hope that the champion might still be in contention, but it quickly became evident that he would not be able to challenge for the win.
Instead, it was the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, at 11‑2, who surged ahead, repelling a late rally from Gethin and winning by a length. The defeat was a bitter pill for Henderson’s camp, especially as Constitution Hill had arrived at Kempton with the Melbourne Cup being floated as a tantalising autumn target. In the post‑race interview, Henderson admitted that the Australian ambition had effectively vanished: "Melbourne is gone now, sadly. Today was always going to tell us what we were going to do next, and I suppose he's posing us another question now." He went on to outline the trainer’s revised thinking on distance, noting, "I don’t think we want to go under a mile and a half, that is for sure, and 12, 13 or 14 furlongs seems to be the range of where we go with him.
I do think he is going to come on for the run, what with the way he got there as if it was going to happen, but from a furlong out I think he took a bit of a blow. It will sharpen him up." Henderson also hinted at a possible shift toward high‑profile handicap races, saying, "He’s going to be eligible to run in handicaps now and it will be interesting to see what the reaction on Tuesday is. It could allow him into some very lucrative handicaps in England, Ireland or wherever you like.
From two novice stakes of very differing strength and depth it was a big step today and we’ll now just wait to see what it does for his mark." Despite the setback, Henderson remained optimistic about the horse’s future: "We’ll find a nice race for him somewhere and he’s by no means finished yet, I can promise you that." His confidence reflects the belief that Constitution Hill still possesses the class and stamina to compete at the highest level, even if the path forward may need to be adjusted. For the connections of Pride Of Arras, the victory opened a new chapter. The winner, who had shown his quality in last year’s Dante and Great Voltigeur Stakes, is now being considered for a trip to Canada. Beckett, the trainer, praised his charge, stating, "He’s a good horse and was good in the Dante and Voltigeur last year and a talented individual.
He had a really bad foot problem that came to light just before the John Porter and he wasn’t really ready when he ran against Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, but I had to run him somewhere." Beckett recounted the challenges the horse faced with a lingering foot issue, explaining how it affected his preparation for the York Stakes and the International. He added, "I thought today he would probably find the surface a touch deeper than he would like so you could probably upgrade it a little bit.
I think there is a good chance he will really enjoy Toronto when we take him to the Canadian International." Speaking about the broader impact of Constitution Hill’s performance at Kempton, Beckett noted, "It’s great that the crowds have come out and we’re in the entertainment business, but inevitably you have to worry about your own horse. I’m delighted there is a crowd and it was a good race. The first two are good horses and Constitution Hill wasn’t disgraced." The race also featured other notable moments on the day’s racing programme. Almeraq stormed to a spectacular Sprint Cup victory at Haydock for trainer Tom Haggas, while Sky Sports Racing highlighted the Arc Trials Day from ParisLongchamp, showcasing horses such as Daryz, Gstaad and Opera Ballo.
Additional flat action unfolded at Ascot and Newcastle, and a racing round‑up announced that the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be open to geldings from 2027. Hollie Doyle’s blog provided a preview of upcoming meetings at Ascot, Kempton and Haydock, with Almeraq heading the Sprint Cup field for her husband Tom Marquand. Meanwhile, Haydock tips favoured Big Mojo to retain his Sprint Cup crown. In summary, while Constitution Hill’s flat debut at Kempton ended in disappointment, the horse’s connections are already charting a new course, focusing on optimal distances and potential handicap opportunities.
Pride Of Arras, on the other hand, has secured a valuable Group Three win that could propel him onto the international stage, with a possible Canadian International appearance on the horizon. The day’s racing action offered a blend of triumphs, setbacks, and forward‑looking plans that underscore the ever‑dynamic nature of the sport.