Top jumper Constitution Hill might aim for a landmark challenge in this year’s Melbourne Cup following his impressive comeback in England at the weekend.

Owner Michael Buckley shared on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday, broadcast Sunday afternoon in Australia, that the $10 million 3200m contest at Flemington come November represents his ultimate goal.

Buckley alongside trainer Nicky Henderson have not settled on whether the star heads back to hurdles at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival next month, though the owner knows precisely his preferred direction for year’s end.

“I think we need to make a plan, we can always change it along the way,” Buckley said.

“I think that the horse should be running around about the end of August or beginning of September, in either the Ebor (at York), or there’s a race at Goodwood, or in the Irish St Leger, with a view to going to Melbourne.

“I think he’ll stay two miles on the flat.

“If you were asking me what I’d like to do, that’s what I’d like to aim at.”

Constitution Hill kicked off again with a dominant 9-1/2 length triumph over 2414m on Southwell’s all-weather surface, taking place in the early Saturday hours Australian time.

The victory marked Constitution Hill’s initial flat outing, arriving after he had fallen in three of his last four jumps efforts. Prior to that, he boasted 10 straight jumps wins, including eight at elite grade.

The Blue Bresil gelding was born March 17, 2017, yet would qualify as a 10-year-old under Australian rules for Northern Hemisphere thoroughbreds by Melbourne Cup time.

The record for eldest victors in the Melbourne Cup, which dates back to 1861, belongs jointly to eight-year-olds Toryboy (1865), Catalogue (1938) and Twilight Payment (2020).

With much of his record in jumps competition, Constitution Hill must earn Melbourne Cup entry through black-type flat performances and pass Racing Victoria’s rigorous veterinary examination like every contender.

Buckley anticipates no problems there, although he noted the horse’s unusual trotting action, which Henderson plans to demonstrate clearly to inspectors.

“As far as I know, he doesn’t have anything that would be adverse to getting in,” Buckley said.

“Nicky will make sure that they have a video of the way he trots…he’s a terrible trotter but he seems OK when he’s galloping.”

Constitution Hill sits at as short as $15 in early markets for this year’s Melbourne Cup on November 3.

Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on Constitution Hill’s Melbourne Cup prospects.