Constitution Hill Set for Flat Debut at Southwell

Nicky Henderson says he hasn’t yet decided who will ride superstar Constitution Hill in his Flat debut at Southwell on 20 February, but expects plenty of interest.

The eight-year-old will run in a new £40,000 novice event over a mile and a half, part of the Friday Night Live all-weather series and jointly the most valuable novice race ever on the surface, sponsored by SBK.

“We haven’t thought about a jockey yet, but I’m sure there are some good jockeys around who might like to ride him,” Henderson told the Press Association. “It’s fantastic they’ve put the race on because we have been looking everywhere for a race for him… Over a mile and a half is perfect so we’ll be there. The timing is excellent and it’s a very good prize, so I imagine it will attract quite a lot of people.”

Henderson added, “We had My Tent Or Yours run in a ‘jumpers’ bumper’ one year and he nearly won the Champion that year, so it’s not totally unique (running on the Flat and then the Champion Hurdle).”

Sam Cone of Arena Racing Company, Southwell’s owners, said the race will “add an extra dimension to the Friday Night Live fixture… for those coming along in person as well as watching on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.”