‘Retire him’ – ITV Racing pundit has their say after Constitution Hill’s Kempton defeat

Hayley Turner was speaking after the 2023 champion hurdler finished fourth of five in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon

An ITV racing pundit has suggested retirement could be best for Constitution Hill after he finished fourth of five on his highly-anticipated comeback.

The 2023 champion hurdler was outpaced in the final furlong of the Group Three William Hill September Stakes, which was won by 2025 Dante Stakes hero Pride Of Arras.

Constitution Hill’s trainer Nicky Henderson suggested some “lucrative handicaps” could be an option going forward.

However ITV Racing pundits Hayley Turner said she thought the best course of action would be to call it a day with the nine-year-old gelding, who was rated 175 at his peak over jumps.

“I wouldn’t be too fussed about running him again,” Turner said on the channel.

“He has done well. Do we want to keep running him in handicaps? Does he deserve turning out for what he has done? I’m sure that’s not what they are going to do but he has served so well and he is a very popular horse and it would nice to see him bow out nicely.”

And Mulrennan, whose husband Paul competes on the Flat, added: “I wouldn’t completely disagree with Hayley to be honest. I want to remember what he did over hurdles, he was fantastic. We loved watching him. Do I really want to see him running around on the Flat getting beaten in handicaps? Probably not.

“He just looked like he lacked a little bit of speed against those horses today so I suppose they will look to step him up in trip and see how he gets on. I think to myself, if he doesn’t win next time out in a handicap, do I really want to see him run again and again, watching him get beaten.”

Bookmakers cut the price of Pride Of Arras to 16-1 (from 66-1) for the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 17, as connections of Constitution Hill digested the result.

Nico de Boinville, on-board for the jump racing star’s brilliant wins at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023, was in attendance with owner Michael Buckley.

“He’ll sharpen up,” said Henderson. “He’s going to be eligible for a handicap mark and it’ll be interesting to see the reaction to that.”

Rider Billy Loughnane said a trip further than the 1m 4f the five runners covered could benefit Constitution Hill, who won his first two races on the level earlier this year.

“Stepping up in distance a little bit on the Flat might just suit him,” he added. “He’s got a very good rhythm and can maintain a good tempo for a long way.”