PUNTERS are defying Nicky Henderson and banking on Constitution Hill to land a race he ‘cannot win’ in the view of his trainer.
Initially made a 12-1 chance for this Saturday’s Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, the former Champion Hurdler is now a biggest 7-1.
Nicky Henderson reckons Constitution Hill has ‘no chance’ of winning the September Stakes but punters think the opposite and continue to back the nine-year-old for Group victory at Kempton Credit: Getty
Most firms make the nine-year-old a 6-1 chance with a few going just 5s.
Constitution Hill, who will be ridden for the first time by Billy Loughnane, is unbeaten in two starts on the Flat but has not faced the level of competition that will line up on Saturday.
Speaking of the challenge in store, Henderson said recently: “The sooner we get this over with the better, and 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.”
Wathnan Racing’s Gethin is the 2-1 market leader while Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller flies the flag of Victorious Racing at around 3-1.
Coral were among those forced to cut Constitution Hill’s odds rapidly as punters bank on him defying Henderson’s words of warning.
They went from 8-1 to 6s this morning for the Group 3 and David Stevens said: “There’s no doubt Constitution Hill will face an extremely tough test against the Arc hopefuls Gethin and Bay City Roller at Kempton this weekend, but whereas Nicky Henderson already seems resigned to defeat for his charge, punters have more faith in the nine-year-old, and any double-figure odds about him are long gone.”
That came as Constitution Hill was also cut for the Melbourne Cup after being included among the 101 entries for the ‘race that stops a nation’.
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Having been as big as 40s with Henderson previously pouring cold water on the idea of him running in Australia, Paddy Power slashed him to just 25s.
Henderson has spoken of the horse’s owner Michael Buckley being keen to explore the possibility of him running in the multi-million pound race in November.
And Ladbrokes make it 20-1 for Constitution Hill to seal one of the most remarkable wins in racing history.
The firm’s Nicola McGeady said: “Constitution Hill’s name immediately jumps off the page and, while there’s plenty to happen between now and November, punters won’t need much encouragement to get behind one of racing’s biggest stars.
“Joseph O’Brien already knows what it takes to land the Melbourne Cup, and it’s no surprise to see his team dominating the head of the market.”
O’Brien has entered 11 in the race, with last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes joining other big names such as Defiantly, who is 10-1 joint-favourite.
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