Racing Ahead

Constitution Hill entered for Windsor on Saturday – But not certain to run due to ground concerns

by
Andy Newton
24 August 2026

Horse racing fans heading to Windsor racecourse this Saturday night will be hoping Constitution Hill fulfils his entry in the Listed August Stakes.

However, there are some concerns over the possible quick ground – if the Berkshire track doesn’t get any rain between now and Saturday.

Constitution Hill Handed August Stakes Entry-but Henderson Warns Quick Ground Could Delay Return

Former Champion Hurdle superstar Constitution Hill has been handed an entry for the August Stakes at Windsor on Saturday, August 29th (6:30pm), but connections have warned he is by no means a guaranteed runner.

Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed his hesitation regarding the going at the Berkshire venue, making it clear that the nine-year-old will only take his chance if the ground is suitable.

With current forecasts pointing towards quick, fast conditions, Seven Barrows is treading carefully with their stable star.

Henderson is adamant he will not risk the gelding on quick ground, leaving a cloud of doubt over whether fans will see him line up on Saturday evening.

Windsor Ground Currently Good-To-Firm

As it stands, Windsor’s track is sitting at good to firm, good in places ahead of the weekend.

But that could change quickly-the upper forecast models are teasing up to 31mm of rain landing at the course over the next few days.

Thunderstorms are expected to roll through Wednesday evening into Thursday, with extra showers trailing behind on Friday.

If the turf doesn’t play ball, Nicky Henderson still has a reliable safety net:

Step forward the William Hill September Stakes on the Kempton all-weather on September 5th remains very much on the table as a back-up plan for Constitution Hill.

Nicky Henderson Said on Constitution Hill’s Windsor Entry

“This dry spell is going on and on, and the beauty of having the September Stakes as a back-up is it’s on the all-weather. It’s an important day for him and we want it to be as safe as possible.

“The clerks of the courses are doing everything they can to get safe ground but it’s difficult. We’ll be keeping an eye on Windsor throughout the week. There is some rain around in the forecast but it’s going to be sporadic and it’s got to come quite soon otherwise we’re going to be worried about it.

“He’s a big, heavy horse and you’ve got to be seeing it [the ground] on the easy side of good, and it’s not that at the moment.

“We want to make a decision as early as possible for everybody’s sake. I don’t want to get into the situation where we’re umming and ahhing on Friday and taking him out on Saturday morning because we appreciate he is quite popular and people will want to go to see him.”

Windsor August Stakes Entries (Sat 29th August, 2029)

Al Aasy (William Haggas)
Alla Stella (Sir Mark Prescott)
Ambiente Friendly (James Owen)
Arabian Crown (Charlie Appleby)
Beset (Joseph O’Brien)
Constitution Hill (Nicky Henderson)
Frances Ethel (William Haggas)
Gaucher (Willie Mullins)
Ghostwriter (Kevin Philippart De Foy)
Muddy Mooy (Charlie Pike)
Nyra (Joseph O’Brien)
Respond (Andrew Balding)
Sea Scout (Simon & Ed Crisford)
Silawi (Hamad Al Jehani)
Snapretend (Joseph O’Brien)
Tenability (William Haggas)
That’s Amore (Ralph Beckett)
Warrant Holder (John & Thady Gosden)
White Birch (Jamie Osborne)

Note: Final entries will be out on Thursday 27th August.

Constitution Hill’s Flat Campaign So Far

Should he miss Windsor, it would pause what has been a fascinating transition to Flat racing.

After retiring from hurdling following a spate of unusual falls, Constitution Hill made a sensational level-ground debut earlier this year:

Southwell (Feb 20, 2026): Making his Flat debut in a 1m4f Class 2 Novice Stakes under Oisin Murphy, he cruised to a effortless 9½-length victory as the 6/4 favourite.

Kempton (Mar 25, 2026): Ridden by Ryan Moore in a 1m4f Class 3 Novice, he backed up his debut performance with another comfortable win, dispatching Classical Allusion by two lengths.

Winning as the red-hot 1/7 favourite.

Undefeated in two starts on the Flat, the former National Hunt icon has shown remarkable natural speed and class on all-weather surfaces, reigniting public excitement around his career.

Alternative Constitution Hill Targets: Curragh Irish St Leger on the Horizon

If Henderson decides against running at Windsor due to the firm ground, the team already has a blockbuster alternative in mind.

With the already mentioned William Hill September Stakes (Kempton AW) on September 5th a big option.

Failing that, another target on the radar remains a trip to Ireland for the Curragh Irish St Leger on Sunday, September 13th.

Stepping up to Group 1 company on the turf in Kildare would mark the ultimate test for his second career, offering soft-to-yielding ground options that are far more forgiving than Britain’s late-summer quick tracks.

Whether he warms up at Windsor this Saturday or goes straight to the Curragh in September, all eyes remain firmly glued to the next chapter of Constitution Hill’s incredible story.