One of England’s most popular horses, the former hurdler Constitution Hill, lined up in a Group race on the Flat for the first time on Saturday – and finished, for many, a disappointing fourth.
Five horses went to post for the William Hill September Stakes (Gr.3). Constitution Hill (Blue Bresil) sat in fourth for most of the way and was never really involved in the finish. Constitution Hill did at least pick up £5,095 for his efforts.
He still holds an entry for the Irish St Leger (Gr.1), which unlike the British version is open to older horses, and he is also entered for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1) in November. On the evidence of today, the ambitions for the now 9-year-old gelding should probably be scaled back a little.
The race was won convincingly by the second favourite Pride Of Arras (New Bay), trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan.
Many will have been looking forward most to seeing Constitution Hill today, but the day’s big race was the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Gr.1) at Haydock.
It went the way of the hot favourite Almeraq (Dark Angel) in dominant fashion, almost five lengths clear of Paborus, who was in turn five lengths ahead of Big Mojo (Mohaather).
Almeraq is trained by William Haggas in Newmarket and had Tom Marquand in the saddle. Almeraq won the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Gr.1) during Royal Ascot week in June, but also disappointed badly when ninth in Newmarket’s July Cup (Gr.1).
Perhaps another meeting between Almeraq and Great Wish is not far away? The coming weeks will tell.
