'We'll be comfortably facing a six-figure loss' - William Hill racking up liabilities on Constitution Hill for Kempton assignment

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Constitution Hill shortened further in the betting for his return in Saturday's September Stakes, with race sponsor William Hill claiming on Wednesday that their 9-2 joint-second favourite could become a six-figure liability.

The multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler was available at 12-1 at the start of the week for his third outing on the Flat and first since winning over the same course and distance at Kempton in March.

Despite trainer Nicky Henderson saying Constitution Hill is "running in a race he can't win", public support has forced bookmakers to take action.

"The betting is really hotting up," said William Hill's Lee Phelps. "While Constitution Hill is undoubtedly the biggest name in the race, our traders think he's right up against it and don't fancy his chances. However, our customers don't agree. He opened at 12-1 but that's long gone and he's now more than halved in price.

"We've already racked up a decent liability on him since Monday and if the support continues like this, we'll be comfortably facing a six-figure loss on him come Saturday."

Going the other way in the market is Bay City Roller, who Ladbrokes have pushed out to 8-1 (from 11-4). The George Scott-trained colt is set to instead run in Sunday's Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp.

Constitution Hill faces his toughest Flat test as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record since switching codes, with a potential field of Group 1 winners and Arc candidates assembling for the Group 3 contest.

Gethin (near): heads the September Stakes bettingCredit: Getty Images

Gethin is William Hill's 6-4 favourite, with Constitution Hill joining Pride Of Arras at 9-2 ahead of Tornado Alert at 5-1.

A clearer idea of Constitution Hill's September Stakes rivals will come with Thursday morning's declarations, but Warrant Holder, owned by the King and Queen, is set to miss another engagement after being taken out of a Listed race at Windsor last Saturday because of the ground.

"Warrant Holder is an unlikely runner at Kempton on Saturday," said joint-trainer Thady Gosden, who also has Lion's Pride among the 14 entries for the 1m4f contest.

Billy Loughnane has been lined up for a first ride on Constitution Hill, who has an official Flat rating of 101 but is unable to contest heritage handicaps in Britain until he has had three runs.

Pondering targets after Kempton, Phelps added: "We're aware that Nicky Henderson spoke positively about his former Champion Hurdler heading to the Melbourne Cup should Saturday go to plan. He's now a 25-1 shot for Flemington and that could be plenty shorter should he finish in the first three on Saturday."

September Stakes (2.50 Kempton, Saturday)
William Hill: 6-4 Gethin, 9-2 Pride Of Arras, Constitution Hill, 5 Tornado Alert, 7 Bay City Roller, 12 Warrant Holder, 14 Almeric, 16 Arabian Crown, 20-1 bar.

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Nicky Henderson recruits Billy Loughnane for Kempton - but says Constitution Hill is 'running in a race he can't win' 

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