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THE weather has finally taken a turn, so much so that the much awaited seasonal debut of CONSTITUTION HILL will now go ahead in the hurdle at Ascot at 2.40 over just short of two-and-a-half miles. Like me, you will have read all the reports from Seven Barrows about his immense home work and it will be a major shock if the current Champion Hurdle favourite is unable to retain his unbeaten record under rules.

His five rivals are rated at least 14lbs behind the youngster on my private ratings and the closest to him is the enigmatic Goshen who blew out over fences at this track last time out. I am sure that at his very best the Gary Moore charge would at least make the selection get out of second gear, if he doesn’t I don’t know where this six-year-old goes next, whereas the sky is the limit for Nicky Henderson’s long odds-on favourite.

So it goes without saying that fifth race on the card will be considered by many as a non-betting event, something that you couldn’t apply to the Hurst Park Handicap Chase at 3.15. Edwardstone has been diverted here from the Cheltenham Chase on Sunday, but has no easy task giving weight away all round against more experienced chasers off top weight 12 stone, from a handicap mark of 161.