Nicky’s star hurdler Hill set for major Flat test

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Constitution Hill will compete in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park, marking a significant test in his transition from hurdling to Flat racing. Facing a competitive field including top contenders like Gethin and Bay City Roller, this race will help determine if he can succeed at a higher level over longer distances.

Constitution Hill, the former Champion Hurdle winner, is set to face a significant test of his Flat racing potential in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday. The nine-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, has shown promise since switching from hurdles to the Flat, winning his two initial races. However, this race represents a step up in class against a competitive field of 14 entries.

This year’s leading jockey, Billy Loughnane, will take the mount for the first time, replacing the previous riders Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore, who are both unavailable. Murphy will ride Group One winner Tornado Alert, while Moore is currently competing in the United States. Loughnane, aged 20, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with 176 winners to date, and Henderson expressed confidence in the partnership. “Billy’s name came up and he’s available at Kempton and that’s great,” Henderson said. “He’s having a great season but there are stacks of them that would have done for me and if I had more Flat horses I’d use them all.”

The field for the mile-and-a-half contest includes some strong contenders, such as Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller, last year’s Great Voltigeur victor Pride of Arras, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hopeful Gethin, who is the race favourite at 2-1. Pride of Arras and Bay City Roller are listed at 3-1 and 9-2 respectively, while Constitution Hill is offered at 8-1 by the race sponsors, reflecting the challenge he faces at this higher level.

Constitution Hill’s recent shift to Flat racing follows a hurdling career marked by notable successes as well as setbacks, including falls in three of his final four hurdle races. His transition has so far been encouraging, but the September Stakes will provide a clearer indication of whether he can compete among more established Flat racers over longer distances.

The race on Saturday will thus serve as a pivotal moment in assessing Constitution Hill’s future on the Flat, with expectations tempered by the quality of his rivals and the step up in race grade. With Loughnane’s recent strong form in the saddle, connections will be hopeful of seeing the horse continue his progression in this new discipline.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.