2026 September Stakes News - Constitution Hill faces six rivals in "race he can’t win"
Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, is set to compete in the September Stakes at Kempton against six opponents. After skipping the August Stakes due to unsuitable ground, Henderson admits Constitution Hill faces stiff competition as the lowest-rated runner in the field. With leading contenders like Gethin and Tornado Alert in the line-up, even a top-three finish would be a notable achievement. Such a result is needed to become eligible for the Melbourne Cup. The race is closely watched to see if Constitution Hill can rise to the occasion.
- Constitution Hill enters September Stakes at Kempton as lowest-rated runner
- Trainer Nicky Henderson admits chances are slim against strong opposition
- A top-3 finish needed for Melbourne Cup eligibility would be a major achievement
Constitution Hill features in a field of seven runners for Saturday's September Stakes.
Nicky Henderson's stable star skipped his intended comeback in the August Stakes at Windsor last weekend on account of the ground. As it turned out, the going actually turned soft prior to Tenability's victory, leaving Henderson rueing a missed opportunity.
Instead, Constitution Hill will return to Kempton for his third outing on the Flat on Saturday. Despite the presence of Champion Jockey-elect Billy Loughnane in the saddle, Henderson told the press this week that his nine-year-old doesn't stand much of a chance in the Group Three feature at Kempton Park.
“The sooner we get this over with the better,” Henderson said. “By this time next week we’ll know exactly where we’re going and can start to make sensible plans rather than running in a race he can’t win.
“He’s not going to go out and beat Group 1 horses, that’s for sure.”
In spite of Henderson's negativity, the public backed Constitution Hill into 5/1 earlier in the week. The market is topped by Gethin, who pushed Europe's highest-rated horse Ombudsman close in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, before a flat performance when fifth in the Coral-Eclipse.
Constitution Hill is comfortably the lowest-rated runner in this year's September Stakes. Even Dubai Future, the 33/1 outsider of the party, is rated 113 - some 12 pounds higher than Henderson's nine-year-old.
Second-favourite Tornado Alert was a Group One winner in Germany last season. Pride Of Arras claimed two Group Two prizes around York last season and finished second to future Juddmonte International Stakes winner Item on his most recent visit to the Knavesmire.
Almeric and Warrant Holder also feature in Saturday's line-up. Almeric drops down to Listed level after four defeats in higher-quality races this season, while Warrant Holder jumps up to Pattern company for the first time.
Constitution Hill was entered in the 2026 Melbourne Cup earlier this week and needs a top-three finish at Listed level or above to qualify. Given the level of opposition, a podium finish for Billy Loughnane's mount would be a massive achievement. It's going to be very interesting to see how Saturday's main event unfolds.
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