Early Melbourne Cup 2026 favourite ruled out of the race

One of the early favourites in Melbourne Cup betting is now highly unlikely to make the trip to Australia for the first Tuesday in November.

Constitution Hill, once regarded as the world’s leading hurdler, entered Melbourne Cup discussions last month when owner Michael Buckley floated the idea of targeting the $5 million staying feature.

“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,” Buckley said after Constitution Hill made a winning flat debut in February.

Following those comments, bookmakers installed the nine-year-old as an $18 chance in futures markets for the Melbourne Cup.

However, Australian fans are now unlikely to see the star galloper after trainer Nicky Henderson poured cold water on the idea of a Melbourne campaign.

“We have races in mind but he doesn’t need any experience,” Henderson told the Herald Sun.

“He won’t go to Melbourne in a million years!”

In current betting, last year’s winner Half Yours heads the market at $9, while Al Riffa, Calandagan, Presage Nocturne, Sir Delius and Valiant King sit on the second line at $15.

Henderson also dismissed the prospect of a Royal Ascot campaign in June, ruling out a start in the Gold Cup over 4000 metres due to concerns over distance and ground conditions.

“I don’t think he’ll want to be racing through the summer because the ground will get pretty quick,” Henderson said.

“He’s a big heavy, horse, he wouldn’t want very fast ground.

“There is no race for him at Royal Ascot, he won’t stay two-and-a-half miles, that I can be pretty sure about.”

Punters following futures markets for the Melbourne Cup can compare odds and promotions across the leading Australian betting sites to secure the best available prices.