Constitution Hill Odds Boosts: 7:30pm Kempton Tips & Race Analysis
There have been few Wednesday evenings at Kempton Park quite like this one. Constitution Hill makes his second start on the Flat in tonight's Virgin Bet Novice Stakes (7:30pm) over a mile and a half on the polytrack, and if you're not watching, you probably should be.
Constitution Hill Odds Boosts & Specials
As you would expect, we've seen plenty of action from betting sites today, boosting the odds and using winning distance markets to try and offer value to punters on what is a very short priced favourite.
Here's a selection that the Free Bets team has found, for those looking to get some additional value, instead of the standard very short win only odds.
The Opposition & Race Analysis
Let's be honest, this is not a race that's going to have you on the edge of your seat worrying about the result. Constitution Hill faces seven rivals, and on all known form, he's in a completely different league to every one of them.
The most interesting of the bunch is Classical Allusion, Andrew Balding's four-year-old who also won over 12 furlongs at Southwell on debut back in September. He's unexposed and should have more to offer this season, but asking him to take on a horse of Constitution Hill's calibre at this stage of his development is a big ask. Respectable effort in second would be a fine result for the Balding camp.
The real talking point isn't whether Constitution Hill wins, it's how he wins. After the jaw dropping Southwell romp last month, the benchmark has been set high. Ryan Moore isn't exactly the type to put on a show for the crowd, so a clinical, no nonsense display is probably the most likely outcome rather than another wide margin demolition job.
One note of caution worth flagging is that Constitution Hill has had a workout at Kempton go wrong before, which is a gentle reminder that nothing is ever completely guaranteed in racing. All signs from Seven Barrows suggest he's arrived here in great form, but it'd be naive to completely ignore the track's history with him.
Ryan Moore Takes the Reins
With Oisin Murphy suspended, the ride passes to Ryan Moore, and you'd struggle to find a better stand in anywhere in the world. Henderson admitted he had plenty of jockeys knocking on the door for the booking, but Moore's availability was simply too good to turn down.
What makes this particularly interesting is what Moore brings beyond just the riding. Henderson has made it clear that his feedback after tonight will play a big role in shaping how Constitution Hill is campaigned for the rest of the year.
When one of the best jockeys on the planet is giving you his thoughts on a horse this talented, you listen carefully.
Looking Further Ahead
Henderson has been admirably measured about not getting too far ahead of himself "there's no point thinking too far ahead at this stage" was his line this week. Tonight is about information gathering as much as anything else.
Quick ground has already been ruled out for the nine-year-old, which does close a few doors. Royal Ascot, the Breeders' Cup and the Arc are all off the table for various reasons, but races like the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury look a logical next step, with the Sky Bet Ebor at York and the Melbourne Cup in November both mentioned as longer term possibilities.
Owner Michael Buckley has reportedly been particularly sweet on the Melbourne trip at various points, which would be some story.
The Southwell Recap
For anyone who missed it, Constitution Hill's Flat debut at Southwell last month was nothing short of extraordinary. He annihilated his rivals by nine and a half lengths under Oisin Murphy, sending a packed student crowd absolutely wild. Timeform handed him a mark of 106P, that 'P' for potential telling its own story about where this horse might end up.
Murphy has since made no secret of his belief that the horse will blow this Kempton field away tonight, and has even suggested he could be better still on turf. High praise from a man who knows him.
Whatever the margin tonight, Constitution Hill's flat adventure remains the most compelling story in British racing right now. Enjoy it.
