Constitution Hill Faces Serious September Stakes Flat Test at Kempton 2026

Key Points:

• Constitution Hill Takes On Tough Test: The former Champion Hurdle winner takes his hardest test yet on the Flat track when he runs in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday.
• Jockey Changes: The young rider Billy Loughnane has been selected to ride in the race alongside Nicky Henderson’s champion alongside other jockeys like Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore.
• Tough Competition: George Scott’s double Group One winner Bay City Roller will be aiming for another win as he prepares himself to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, while winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom last month.
• Group One Winning Horses In Lineup: The two Group One winners nominated by Saeed bin Suroor for the 1 1/2 mile race are Tornado Alert and Dubai Future.
• Competitors Galore: Other competitors in the 14-strong field include Pride Of Arras, who won the Great Voltigeur, Gethin, and Small Fry.

London, UK (East London Times) August 31, 2026 – Nicky Henderson’s former flagship National Hunt star Constitution Hill is set for a substantial step up in class on the Flat when he targets the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday, with young jockey Billy Loughnane currently booked to take over the ride.

Having made a flawless transition from jump racing with two victories from two outings on the level under the guidance of top jockeys Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore, the nine-year-old gelding faces a total of 14 potential rivals over the mile-and-a-half distance in Sunbury-on-Thames.

Will Billy Loughnane Take the Ride on Constitution Hill?

The administrative entries published by the British Horseracing Authority reveal a key change in the saddle for the Seven Barrows star. Having previously been guided to victory by former Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy and multiple Group One-winning rider Ryan Moore during his initial Flat assignments, Constitution Hill has been listed alongside rising star Billy Loughnane for Saturday’s contest.

Loughnane, who has enjoyed a rapid rise through the professional jockey ranks in recent seasons, will be tasked with steering the famous hurdler through the highest tier of competition he has encountered since switching disciplines.

Can Constitution Hill Hold Off Dual Group One Winner Bay City Roller?

The principal challenge facing the Seven Barrows trainer comes in the form of George Scott’s high-profile contender Bay City Roller. The dual Group One victor has not been seen on the track since securing top honours in the Coolmore Coronation Cup at Epsom earlier in the summer season, and the September Stakes is intended to act as a vital preparatory race ahead of a planned trip to Paris for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

As reported by racing journalists covering the entries, trainer George Scott confirmed that the Kempton feature fits into Bay City Roller’s wider autumn campaign, offering a proven synthetic track platform before tackling Europe’s premier middle-distance race on turf.

Who Else Features Amongst the 14 September Stakes Entries?

The provisional field for the mile-and-a-half feature contains significant depth across flat-racing stables:

• Godolphin Representation: Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has entered a strong contingent consisting of Group One winner Tornado Alert along with the experienced performer Dubai Future.
• Classic Formlines: Ralph Beckett has put forward Pride Of Arras, who achieved big-race success when securing victory in last season’s Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
• Smart Stables Represented: Owen Burrows has entered the consistent gelding Gethin, whilst Irish handler Joseph O’Brien has nominated the progressive staying prospect Small Fry.

In total, 14 entries remain under consideration for the Group Three middle-distance event, which serves as a major feature on the Kempton Park synthetic surface this weekend.

Background of Constitution Hill’s Flat Campaign

Constitution Hill established himself as one of the most dominant hurdlers of the modern era under the guidance of trainer Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows. After winning the 2023 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in breathtaking fashion, his National Hunt career was disrupted by illness and minor setbacks during subsequent jump seasons.

Following careful consideration by Henderson and owner Michael Buckley, the decision was made to embark on a rare switch to Flat racing. The gelding made an immediate impression by winning his opening two starting assignments on synthetic and turf surfaces. However, those victories came in minor conditions events designed to ease his transition. Saturday’s assignment in the Group Three September Stakes represents a formal test against established, high-rating Flat performers operating at the Group and Listed levels.

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Predictions: How Will This Race Impact Racing Fans and the Betting Market?

The outcome of Saturday’s September Stakes at Kempton Park carries major implications for several key groups within the horse racing ecosystem:

Impact on Racing Fans and the General Public

For general sports enthusiasts and racing fans, Constitution Hill’s campaign on the Flat has provided one of the most compelling narratives in modern British racing. A victory against established Group One performers like Bay City Roller would validate the ambitious cross-code campaign, potentially encouraging trainers to consider similar code-switches for elite National Hunt horses in the future. Conversely, a clear defeat would outline the steep technical gap between jump racing form and elite Flat middle-distance company.

Impact on the Betting Market and Punters

Punters and odds-makers face a complex evaluation task. Up to this point, Constitution Hill has been priced largely on his reputation and raw engine. Facing a field containing proven Group One horses like Bay City Roller and Tornado Alert will force bookmakers to reassess his true Flat rating. A dominant performance will see his odds slashed for major autumn Flat targets, whereas a poor display could prompt bookmakers to adjust their markets ahead of a potential return to hurdles for the upcoming National Hunt season.