Constitution Hill Could Miss Southwell Flat Debut After Ballot

Constitution Hill could miss the planned Flat debut at Southwell after drawing ballot number 16 in a random ballot held on Sunday for the £40,000 SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes, part of Southwell’s Friday Night Live card. With the meeting’s maximum field set at either 14 or 12 depending on stabling capacity and whether other races divide, the nine-year-old 2023 Champion Hurdle winner requires two withdrawals to squeeze into a 14-runner field or four withdrawals if the race is capped at 12.

The ballot produced conflicting entry figures across coverage: one set of reports listed Constitution Hill among 32 initial entries for the contest, while a Bet365 account described him as one of 15 potential qualifiers. The ballot mechanics add another layer of complexity because Bet365 reports that priority was given to horses that have completed no more than two Flat races and have placed in the top four at least once, a rule that helps explain why a high-profile hurdler does not automatically take a berth.

Trainer Nicky Henderson, speaking on Racing TV’s “Luck on Sunday,” stressed how carefully the Southwell plan was assembled and how high the stakes are for connections. “No plan B or plan C,” Henderson said, adding: “We hatched this plan some time ago and it would be a serious backfire if he didn’t get in - I’d be lost as to what we’re going to do next.” He also praised the initiative, saying: “We’ll cross that bridge (when we come to it). The whole thing has been terrific and fair play to Martin Cruddace and ARC (Arena Racing Company) for going ahead with it, but at the same time it would be very sad for us and them if it didn’t come off. It’s created a lot of interest, which I can only think is good for the game. It involves a lot of talking and games, but on the other hand, the day that these things don’t get you excited is probably the day to give it up anyway. We’re very lucky that we’ve got these horses that create a lot of public interest and I’ve got to say I love it.”

Henderson outlined how Constitution Hill’s preparation has mixed Flat work with schooling over obstacles: “He’s been jumping and he’s probably confused.com – one morning it’s starting stalls and the next day it’s hurdles! He’s having a lovely time, it’s kept him amused and he worked on Saturday and was great.” Those training notes sit against recent form that includes three falls in his last four starts over obstacles, including a fall in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November.

If Constitution Hill fails to gain a starting berth at Southwell, reports say connections appear set to keep him on course for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park in March rather than seek an alternate Flat engagement. Tripoli Flyer, trained by Fergal O’Brien and aged seven, has been confirmed with no ballot number and is therefore guaranteed a start at Southwell; Tripoli Flyer was noted as having finished not disgraced behind Henderson’s sidelined stablemate Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day and was last seen going close in handicap company at Ascot in January.

Organisers and connections now await the final declaration stage and stabling confirmations that will resolve whether the field is 12 or 14 runners and whether Constitution Hill can make his targeted 1m4f Southwell bow. The original report also flagged a Paul Nicholls Cheltenham stable tour preview and discussion of Michael O’Sullivan’s legacy amid Irish jockey news as items for further coverage.