Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner turned flat racer, has been withdrawn from next month’s Ebor Handicap after a series of entries and reconsiderations on the deadline day. The horse, who returned to training last week with the York event as a potential objective, initially was entered for the race but was later pulled out by trainer Nicky Henderson.

Henderson explained that although Constitution Hill is in good health, the decision to remove him from the Ebor came down to preparation concerns. The horse requires one more run to establish a proper handicap rating, and Henderson noted that they had not been able to schedule that necessary race before the Ebor. “He would be ready for the Ebor but he would not be ready to have a race before the Ebor that he needed,” Henderson said. He acknowledged that while the Ebor was always a possibility, it was “touch and go” due to timing and the horse’s readiness.

The trainer also indicated that there are multiple alternative options to consider depending on factors such as ground conditions and weather. He emphasized the importance of selecting the right race to optimize Constitution Hill’s competitive prospects.

The initial entry and subsequent withdrawal of Constitution Hill, a high-profile contender, generated attention on the final day for Ebor submissions, highlighting the strategic decisions trainers must make when managing a horse transitioning from hurdles to flat racing. The Ebor Handicap, held at York Racecourse later this month, remains a significant target for many leading horses, but this development leaves Constitution Hill absent from the field.