Moment of truth for Constitution Hill as the big boys of Flat racing wait for him at Newbury on Saturday

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The Grand National is always big news but maybe even the Aintree spectacular isn't quite as big as Constitution Hill these days. I Am Maximus was merely the warm-up act for Newbury on Saturday, when the former champion hurdler steps into Group company for the first time.

Unbeaten in two on the Flat, Constitution Hill now graduates from novice races to the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (aka the John Porter), which is like turning up in the Premier League after doing well in a school kickabout.

He will need to run a stone better than his Kempton performance just to get involved in the finish. We'll get a clue about the likely strength of the opposition on Monday when entries are published but potential rivals include good, old Hamish, who is even older than Constitution Hill but has nothing to prove, having already won at this level nine times.