The $10 million Melbourne Cup may become a viable option for the highest profile horse in the United Kingdom after Constitution Hill again fell while jumping at the weekend.
Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead told The Verdict podcast while it seemed unlikely one of the best jumpers he’d ever seen would come to Australia, stranger things had happened.
“They have used the two words – Melbourne Cup – in the past,” Mottershead said on The Verdict podcast.
“Whenever you talk about a high-class staying horse over here, the words Melbourne Cup will get mentioned.
“But there is such a long way to go.
“He has never even run on the flat and doesn’t even have a flat mark.
“But you don’t reach the levels he did, over the hurdles, unless you are a very good horse, full stop.”
Mottershead said Constitution Hill’s jumping career could not continue after his tumble in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
He won his first 10 races but has failed to finish in three of his past four outings.
“The reality is he has had three horrible falls and has galloped away from each one of those basically unhurt – he is a very lucky racehorse and we are a very lucky sport,” Mottershead said.
“Constitution Hill is the highest profile horse in training, over here.
“Had anything happened to him, it would have been a desperate situation.
“As sad as it is to say, his future cannot be over hurdles now.
“It has to be on the flat.”
