Massive boost for Constitution Hill as big rival pulls OUT of Kempton race – with bookies fearing six-figure loss

SportHorse Racing Trainer Nicky Henderson at Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire. Picture date: Wednesday January 15, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story RACING Newbury. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. Credit: PA CONSTITUTION HILL has received a huge boost with one of his main rivals pulling OUT of their big Kempton race. George Scott’s Coronation Cup-winning star Bay City Roller has been rerouted to Sunday’s Prix Foy at Longchamp. Constitution Hill has seen one of his big rivals defect elsewhere – giving him a better chance of Group 3 success at Kempton on Saturday Credit: PA He had been general 3-1 second-fav for the Group 3 September Stakes on the all-weather behind Owen Burrows’ ever-shortening 6-4 market leader Gethin. The news comes as bookies William Hill said Nicky Henderson’s stable star was becoming a six-figure liability. Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “We’re now only days away from the William Hill September Stakes and the betting is really hotting up. “While Constitution Hill is undoubtedly the biggest name in the race, our traders think he is right up against it here and don’t fancy his chances. “However, our customers don’t agree. He opened at 12-1 but that’s long gone and he’s now more than halved in price to 5-1. “We’ve already racked up a decent liability on him since Monday and if the support continues like this, we’ll be comfortably facing a six-figure loss on him come Saturday. “We’re also aware that Nicky Henderson spoke positively about his former Champion Hurdler heading to the Melbourne Cup should Saturday go to plan. “He’s now a 25-1 shot for Flemington and that could be plenty shorter should he finish in the first three on Saturday.” Most read in Horse Racing Ralph Beckett’s former Dante winner Pride Of Arras has been clipped into as short as 4-1 with news of Bay City Roller’s omission spreading. That’s the same price as Constitution Hill with some bookies, while Godolphin runner Tornado Alert, a Group 1 winner in Germany last July, also being trimmed into as short as 5-1. Billy Loughnane is the jockey tasked with steering Constitution Hill to victory. It will be the first time the 2,000 Guineas-winning rider has been on for the former Champion Hurdle king. But Henderson has done well to snap him up with Ryan Moore, who rode Constitution Hill on his last Flat run, and Oisin Murphy already jocked up. Murphy rides Tornado Alert while Moore will be in Kentucky to ride Causeway for Aidan O’Brien in the mega-money Nashville Derby, where victory is worth more than £1.3million. Moore will also be in action on Willie Mullins’ Breeders’ Cup hero Ethical Diamond as the two team up in the Kentucky Turf Cup. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now