NICKY HENDERSON has delivered a major Constitution Hill update – saying an ‘unusual’ visit has opened the door to the horse running in a £5million race.
The former and targeting a return to the track in late August.
It looks most likely that Constitution Hill will next run at Windsor on August 29 – but a possible run in the Melbourne Cup is back on the agenda Credit: Getty
He is 2-2 on the Flat having aborted his jumps career following three falls in four races.
Henderson sparked confusion when handicap at York.
The legendary trainer said he didn’t think there was enough time to qualify him for the race.
But as one door closes another opens – and Constitution Hill’s probable next start in a Listed contest at Windsor on August 29 could see him head Down Under.
If he doesn’t run at the Berkshire track then Constitution Hill could go in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay six days earlier after getting an entry this morning.
Henderson previously said there was basically no chance his nine-year-old gelding would line up in the Melbourne Cup.
But an ‘unusual’ visit from a Racing Victoria official has prompted Henderson to have a little rethink – although he admits running in the ‘race that stops a nation’ is still unlikely.
Hendo told the Racing Post : “We had a visit from Racing Victoria, which was unusual, because they wouldn’t normally find a Melbourne Cup possibility lurking in Seven Barrows.
“I think they would be very keen for us to try and do it, and I agree it would be a tremendous thing to do, but there are several reasons why it almost certainly can’t happen.
“One is that, as things stand now, he wouldn’t get in the race.
“They tell me the bottom weight is normally rated around 108, and we’re currently on 101, so we have to go up 7lb for a start.
“I suspect he would need to be mightily impressive at Windsor for the handicapper to raise him by 7lb.
“That said, there is probably time to get in a second run in September and my assistant George Daly has been scouring the European programme book.
“He has been looking at Ireland, France and Germany. The only thing we’ve taken off the agenda is the ice in Switzerland.
“If we thought he was going to get into the Melbourne Cup, would we do it?
“Well, it would certainly be fun, and that’s what we now want to have with the horse.
“If he happened to qualify in all departments, you would have to think about it, but I don’t think we can say any more than that at the moment.”
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