'I'd like to aim him at the Melbourne Cup' - Constitution Hill owner keen on Flat campaign as Coral go 1-2 he'll run in Champion Hurdle

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Constitution Hill's owner Michael Buckley had Melbourne on his mind on Sunday as he outlined a potentially audacious international Flat campaign for his rejuvenated Southwell superstar.

The nine-year-old was sublime on his Flat debut on Friday, slamming his rivals in a 1m4f novice contest at the Nottinghamshire track by nine and a half lengths, which has fuelled thoughts of keeping the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner in that sphere. 

Constitution Hill has fallen in three of his last four starts over hurdles, including when crashing out on his seasonal return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

The pinnacle of ambition on the Flat would be the race that famously stops a nation, and Coral yesterday quoted Constitution Hill at 25-1 for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3, with William Hill making him 20-1 co-favourite. 

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A lot of water will pass under the bridge before then, and Coral go 1-2 that Constitution Hill runs in next month's Unibet Champion Hurdle.

He is challenging for favouritism for the first-day highlight at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight on Tuesday at around 5-2, with Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson set to decide in the next week whether he will attempt to regain the crown.

Constitution Hill: romped home at SouthwellCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Irrespective of that decision, Buckley is keen to explore more prestigious targets on the Flat with his pride and joy later this year. A crack at York's Ebor Handicap could be on the cards, and the owner also raised the possibility of his popular performer heading to Australia.

He said on Sunday: "We need to make a plan, which we can always change along the way, but I think that the horse should be running at the end of August or beginning of September, in either the Ebor, a race at Goodwood or in the Irish St Leger, with the view of going to Melbourne.

"I think he'll stay two miles on the Flat – Nicky was the one who came out to John Gosden about the Ascot Gold Cup as a joke! Nicky doesn't think he'll stay two and a half miles on the Flat, but right now I'd like to aim at Melbourne."

Buckley is no stranger to major international targets on the Flat, with Toast Of New York winning the 2014 UAE Derby and being narrowly denied in that year's Breeders' Cup Classic. In addition to Australia, Constitution Hill could also be set for travels in Europe.

Constitution Hill: a brilliant winner on his Flat debut at Southwell on Friday Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"Melbourne's a decent distance away," said Buckley on Luck On Sunday. "You can plan a campaign and know you have to get higher up in the handicap to get in. 

"As far as I know, he doesn't have anything that would prevent him from passing the vet checks, and Nicky will make sure to have a video of him and the way he trots, as he's not much of a trotter. He seems okay when he's galloping, though!

"Nicky wants to keep him on kinder ground, and there are Listed races in France as well that we could consider. We need to care for him as he's special, but let's hope he has a long, happy time providing occasions like Friday, as it was very special."

Buckley is torn about having another crack at the Champion Hurdle, but Constitution Hill's nine-and-a-half-length win in the 1m4f novice event at Southwell on Friday under Oisin Murphy confirmed his belief that his brilliance remains fully intact.

He said: "The last two years have been an absolute nightmare, starting with when he got sick and couldn't run in the 2024 Champion Hurdle. He was really sick in his lungs and we had to watch a Champion Hurdle I thought we'd win. 

What next for Constitution Hill?Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"I think he's the best hurdler around and has been for some years. I kept watching these races where I'd think he'd win. We've been sitting on this extraordinary horse, and knowing you have a horse like that has been frustrating.

"I really don't want to sound disrespectful, but none of the Champion Hurdle horses have been winning by 20 lengths or breaking track records, and I could be thinking, 'We could have won that race'. The question is: do I want to watch a race that is hard on my head, or my heart?"

Buckley added: "We certainly care like hell about our horses and we don't want him to do something that threatens his very existence or hurt Nico [de Boinville], or disappoints everyone. On the other hand, we see how much the horse is loved and would like to see him run. 

"If he ran and won the Champion Hurdle, it would kind of put a few demons to bed for me, but if he doesn't run on that Tuesday next month, I don't see him running over hurdles again this year."

Coral introduced Constitution Hill at 25-1 in the betting for this year's Melbourne Cup, which takes place at Flemington on November 3.

Coral's David Stevens said: "Right now Michael Buckley seems keen to aim his star at the Melbourne Cup. Although it's some way off, we're quoting him at 25-1 for the Flemington showpiece, odds that suggest he would be more than just making up the numbers come November."

Read these next:

'We have to bear the cross of responsibility' - Constitution Hill's Champion Hurdle participation hinges on schooling session next week 

'Please stay on the Flat!' - Gordon Elliott wowed by Constitution Hill's Southwell romp as ex-jockeys have their say on star's future 

Resurgent Constitution Hill receives high praise from rival jockey as Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley reflect on a night to remember 

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