Newbury ground eases after watering but track expected to 'dry back' by Saturday for Constitution Hill Flat turf debut

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Whether Constitution Hill is declared for his first attempt in Group company on the Flat is a question that is unlikely to be resolved until Thursday morning, but Newbury clerk of the course George Hill says he is entirely happy with the condition of the track as he aims to start the two-day spring meeting on good ground on Friday. 

Trainer Nicky Henderson is expected to walk the course on Wednesday and has warned that quick ground would be a "big concern" for Constitution Hill's intended participation in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.

The course was watered extensively on Monday and was back to good ground (from good to firm) on Tuesday morning, while Hill will wait to see the extent of any rainfall before deciding whether to put on any more water later in the week.

Either way, with two key Classic trials on the card, Hill expects the ground to be quicker on Saturday than for the opening day.

"We’re happy where we are and to start on good ground on Friday and let it dry back for Saturday has been our plan since before entries," said Hill on Tuesday afternoon. "We’re expecting a bit of drizzle or light rain overnight and then between 3mm and 5mm in showers on Wednesday afternoon. 

Clerk of the course George Hill: "We’re very pleased with the entries"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"It was good to firm on Monday morning and we watered 8-12mm so we were back to good ground this morning. I don’t plan to water on Wednesday. I’ll sit and see what happens with the showers and then look again at what we might need to do come Thursday morning."

Constitution Hill is far from the only star entered to run on Saturday and Hill added: "We’re very pleased with the entries and it would be great for the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes if Zavateri and Albert Einstein come. They'd bring a different element to that race.

"We look forward to seeing what is declared. Some are more ground-dependent than others but I think connections know what to expect."

Should Constitution Hill be given the green light, Newbury chief executive Shaun Hinds is looking forward to welcoming an increased crowd on Saturday for a horse the public has really taken to their hearts.

Constitution Hill: Newbury run is in the balanceCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"We want to make sure we put on the right type of show. People are coming racing who might not usually come but they fancy the idea of seeing Constitution Hill and being a part of this special day of racing," said Hinds. 

"We race 31 times a year and we’re very excited for all our racing but when you get a star performer with the following that Constitution Hill has got, it adds another dimension."

Hinds added: "We’re preparing for the crowd to be up but our attendances have been up generally, so it’ll be interesting to see how much more the crowd is up."  

Having opened at as big as 10-1 when entries were announced on Monday, Constitution Hill was trading at a best-price of 4-1 by Tuesday evening to land the race traditionally known as the John Porter Stakes.

Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (2.35 Newbury, Saturday)

Coral: 3 Convergent, 7-2 Constitution Hill, 4 Al Aasy, Pride Of Arras, 6 Eydon, 7 Lion’s Pride, 8 Phantom Flight, 16 Bellum Justum, 20 Tenability, 25 Burdett Road.

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