SportHorse racingBettingNicky Henderson's star horse faced just four rivals in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park with jockey Billy Loughnane in the saddle14:59, 05 Sep 2026Updated 23:38, 05 Sep 2026Constitution Hill's unbeaten Flat record was ended by Pride Of Arras in the Group Three William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park.‌The nine-year-old, partnered by Billy Loughnane for the first time, travelled well but came under pressure in the straight and had no more to offer behind Ralph Beckett's trainee.‌Constitution Hill had won two novice races, with one of them at the same course near London, before he was given a 164-day break and went significantly up in class for his return.‌Rerouted from Windsor last weekend, the 2023 champion hurdler had been backed at double-figure odds ante-post and went off at 9-2.Loaded quietly into the stalls, Constitution Hill was nudged away from them and settled well for Loughnane after the significant absence from the track.Still on the bridle swinging into the straight, the pair challenged down the outside, but had no extra gears as the Rossa Ryan-ridden Pride Of Arras (11-2) thwarted hot favourite Gethin by a length.‌Constitution Hill's former rider over jumps Nico de Boinville watched as the thoroughbred finished fourth, five-and-three-quarter lengths behind the winner.The finishing position was one too far back for the National Hunt star to qualify for the Melbourne Cup in Australia."We always said today was going to tell us what to do next," said Henderson on ITV Racing. "I don't think you'd want to go under a mile and a half, that's for sure. 12 [furlongs], 13, 14 . . . that seems to be the range of what you'd do.Article continues below"I do think he's going to come on for that. He got there as if it was going to happen and he just couldn't quite. He'll sharpen up. He's going to be eligible for a handicap mark and it'll be interesting to see the reaction to that. It'll allow him into some lucrative handicaps."Loughnane was in agreement with the Seven Barrows handler that Constitution Hill would improve for his first outing since March."I felt like I was going to go really close and I think he'll take a big step forward for the run," he said.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌BettingHorsesKempton Park racecourse