Constitution Hill makes it two from two on the Flat at Kempton

Constitution Hill shone for the second time on the Flat, as his career on the level continued on a steep upward trajectory with victory under the floodlights at Kempton Park on Wednesday night.

So brilliant at Southwell last month and the 1-7 favourite for the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes in the hands of Ryan Moore, Nicky Henderson’s once-unbeatable hurdler was applauded into the paddock and never looked like letting his supporters in a decidedly sizeable crowd down.

Ridden in fifth place for much of the way with Roadlesstravelled taking them along, Moore edged his mount out from the two pole and once he asked for an effort it was always going to be race over, although Classical Allusion kept him honest in second in a race not run at a gallop that would have been to the market leader’s liking.

Moore said: “He’s a gentleman and I think the horse is enjoying his runs on the Flat. He moves really well and I think there will be plenty more improvement to come. He went to the line with his ears pricked.

“We don’t know that yet (his level), he will tell us. We will know more on his next one.

“I think he’s very comfortable at 12 (furlongs). (It was a ) slowly-run race, but it’s fine.”

A relieved Henderson said: “I think the main thing I liked is that Ryan said the horse is enjoying himself a lot.

“I think that’s important because he’s had a year of not enjoying his racing terribly and you can understand why, and if he’s enjoying that then that’s great for us.

“He thinks that the mile and a half is as far as he needs to go, he can go further yes, and he’s deceptive in his size and he looked big today too. I think that is about the right trip anyway, we will have a sit down and have a think. It’s great, it’s over anyway and that’s the main thing.

“There’s a lot of relief. It’s been a funny old few days and one of his sparring partners who was here at Christmas (Sir Gino, who died on Tuesday) isn’t here anymore.

“He’s not slow, on a sharp track like this he seems to handle it well. It’s a different sport to be honest with you, compared to two miles at Cheltenham. He’s pretty adaptable.

“It (reception from the crowd) means a lot, he’s had a difficult couple of years since that first fall at the Champion Hurdle just over a year ago and for Michael and for everybody, it’s been tough.

“We are sitting on the best hurdler in the country, the only one who could have gone with him was probably Sir Gino, and you can’t do anything. It’s heartbreaking.

“At least we are finding something that as a nine-year-old he can enjoy and therefore it is wonderful that people want to enjoy him with us. I’m sure he appreciates it, I certainly do, and it’s wonderful that these old horses, who have been going that long that they do become favourites.

“It’s been fantastic. The crowd here tonight, it means a lot. A lot of sentimental memories, he’s still with us and he’s still going strong.”

The big question now for connections is where to go next, with Newbury on April 18 appearing to be in pole position.

Henderson went on: “The John Porter would still be my favourite option and Ryan’s words to me, and we’ll talk loads I’m sure, would be something like the Sagaro (Stakes, at Ascot) would be a step too far (in distance).

“I’ve always thought that the Ascots and the two-mile races would be too far so it is interesting Ryan’s first impression is that, as it was Oisin’s (Murphy, who rode at Southwell).

“Ryan rode in the Southwell race and has seen him from behind and said he’s not a ‘slow jumper’, which is good.

“A part of today was to keep in our pocket a handicap mark if we needed one and we’ll have to see if he is assessed or we have to go again. We’re out of novices now, but we have to get a bit braver and ask the question at some stage – he’s nine and we can’t fuss around too long.

“I don’t think he’s a summer horse and this is as quick as he wants to be going on. I’d be conscious of getting a summer break as he was galloping in October getting ready for a Fighting Fifth.

“He’s been in fast work for some time and will need a break if we have a solid autumn campaign in mind.”