Constitution Hill set for the biggest test of his Flat career so far

William Dobbie Published: 10 hours ago

Constitution Hill makes his eagerly-anticipated return to racing in the September Stakes at Kempton.

The former champion hurdler has been off the track since late March and was last seen winning a novice contest at Kempton in taking style.

However, Saturday's test promises to be far greater as he makes his way back to the track.

His official rating of 101 is the lowest of the seven-strong field.

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An eight-time Grade 1 winner over jumps, connections decided to switch the nine-year-old to the Flat after a number of high-profile mistakes at his hurdles.

Owner Michael Buckley is dreaming big after wins on his first two starts and Saturday's September Stakes is crucial to a potential crack at the Melbourne Cup.

Constitution Hill needs to finish in the first three if he is to qualify for the Flemington showpiece, and his BHA mark realistically needs to rise at least 5lbs if he wants to be guaranteed a run.

Hitting the frame at the weekend should see that mark rise enough due to the quality of opposition on show.

Of all six of his rivals, Gethin looks like the biggest danger to Constitution Hill's hat-trick bid. A genuine top-class performer, the Wathan-owned colt finished fifth in the Eclipse last time out and was just touched off by Ombudsman at Sandown earlier in the campaign.

Tornado Alert is also a huge runner in this contest. He is extremely unexposed, having had just seven starts under rules, but what he has done so far has been very promising.

The four-year-old defeated Map Of Stars to win a German Group 1 in July and went close in the 136th Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten last month.

Despite being nine, Constitution Hill isn't the oldest competitor in the race, instead that particular gong goes to Dubai Future.

Now 10 years old, he is still running to a very high level and was seen winning a Group 3 as recently as May of this year.