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 fans during his hurdling career, has remained a major attraction since making the switch to the flat, but the Group Three contest represented a considerable jump in class compared with his earlier victories at Southwell and his previous win at Kempton in February and March. From the outset, the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the lead in the mile‑and‑a‑half race, dictating a strong pace. Close behind, Billy Loughnane and Constitution Hill, both quoted at 9‑2, were positioned in a tight fourth place and appeared to be travelling with enough vigor to pose a genuine threat as the field turned for home.
However, when the two‑furlong marker was reached, the momentum began to shift. Constitution Hill managed only a brief flicker of hope before it became evident that he would not be able to join the leaders.
Instead, it was the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, a 11‑2 shot, that surged forward, ultimately holding off a late rally from Gethin by a length to claim the prize. The defeat was a disappointment for Henderson, who had been eyeing a possible autumn campaign in the Melbourne Cup for Constitution Hill.
In the post‑race interview he admitted that the Australian ambition was now effectively over: "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 his revised distance targets, saying, "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 noted that Constitution Hill will now be eligible for handicap races, opening up a range of lucrative opportunities across England, Ireland and beyond. "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," he said. He added that the step up from two novice stakes of varying quality to a Group Three event was a "big step today" and that they would now monitor how the performance affects his official rating.
"We'll find a nice race for him somewhere and he's by no means finished yet, I can promise you that," Henderson affirmed. While Australian hopes have been dashed for Constitution Hill, the connections of Pride Of Arras are now looking across the Atlantic. The winner, who previously demonstrated his class by winning the Dante and the Great Voltigeur Stakes, could be headed for Canada.
Beckett expressed optimism about the horse's adaptability: "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 a series of setbacks, including a foot issue that resurfaced before the York Stakes and a missed opportunity at York due to the horse's reaction to the crowd and the starting gate. He explained that the surface at Kempton might have been slightly deeper than Pride Of Arras preferred, but still believed the horse would relish the synthetic track at Toronto for the Canadian International: "I think there is a good chance he will really enjoy Toronto when we take him to the Canadian International." Reflecting on the atmosphere at Kempton, Beckett praised the turnout, noting that racing is as much about entertainment as competition.
"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," he concluded. Overall, the race highlighted the challenges of stepping up in class for a horse transitioning from hurdles to the flat.
Constitution Hill's performance, while below expectations, provided valuable data for Henderson and his team as they chart the horse's future campaign, likely focusing on longer distances and potential handicap opportunities. Meanwhile, Pride Of Arras's victory adds another accolade to his resume and positions him as a strong contender for upcoming international contests, particularly the Canadian International, where his proven stamina and class could shine on a new stage.