No Constitution Hill at Newbury this weekend

Constitution Hill will not run in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury due to unsuitable ground.

Nicky Henderson’s former superstar hurdler has made a brilliant start to his new career on the Flat, with all-weather wins at Southwell and Kempton, and connections had hoped to see him step up in class and switch to turf in a Group Three contest better known as the John Porter.

However, after walking the track on Wednesday, Henderson has decided to keep his powder dry for another day – and is now likely to explore handicap options for his 101-rated performer.

“He’s not going to run, the ground is just too quick,” Henderson told the Press Association.

“He’s a big boy and there’s quite a difference between good ground on the Flat and good jumping ground, it’s significant.

“I know Newbury are aiming for good ground on Friday. It would be quicker by the time of his race on Saturday, but he wouldn’t have even run if his race was on Friday.

“It’s been bad luck, we’ve been suffering for the last month trying to run our National Hunt horses.

“The good thing was the decision was not difficult.”

He went on: “The Flat boys will love it, I’m sure, but he’s a big, heavy horse. 

“I’m not saying he needs soft ground, but he’d need a lot of rain to run this weekend and it’s not forthcoming so there’s no point in waiting, it’s fairer to let everybody know.

“I’m having a look for a race, there’s a couple of handicaps he can run in, they are 0-100 so he’ll be 1lb over so he can run in them but he’d be the first to get balloted out. 

“There’s one next week (at Ripon), the ground is already good but I’m assuming that’s the same as Newbury’s good which isn’t good enough. There’s not much rain around.

“It’s sad, we’re desperate to go and I appreciate people want to see him. We want to run him just as much, but we can’t take any chances.

“He will be having a break shortly. If we can’t have a run now I think it’s better to get out and come back in the autumn as he’s been on the go since September/October.

“He’s in great order and his work is terrific.”