Constitution Hill Romps in Flat Debut at Southwell Under Oisin Murphy

Constitution Hill produced a statement win on his Flat debut at Southwell, sent off the 6/4 favourite and drawn in stall 12, romping away from Square Necker and Gambino in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes over 1 mile 4 furlongs on the Tapeta. Sky Sports, Sporting Life and IrishRacing reported a nine-and-a-half-length winning margin, while TalkSPORT recorded nine lengths; RacingPost described the performance as a wide-margin romp. Thirteen went to post in the Class 2, evening meeting.

The race was listed on the card as 19:30 Southwell (A.W) and carried a £40,000 winner’s cheque reported by TalkSPORT. RacingPost recorded attendance at 3,520, an 800 per cent increase on Southwell’s previous fixture, with packed stands and the winner’s enclosure lined several deep as Constitution Hill trotted back to the parade square and was greeted with loud applause.

Oisin Murphy settled the nine-year-old gelding on the heels of the leaders from Gate 12 and stalked the pace before taking command. Sky Sports described Constitution Hill as “moving ominously on the turn for home” and reported that Murphy “shook just an inch of rein and the race was over.” RacingPost said he thundered clear, while TalkSPORT noted Murphy “slotted in just behind the leaders” in the early stages and then “took the lead in the final few furlongs and didn't look back, storming ahead.”

Murphy, who was introduced to the ride as a five-time champion jockey in coverage, told media that “He felt like a machine at home.” He added that “There wasn't a lot of strength in depth in that race and if he continues on the Flat, he'll have tougher assignments – but the feel was the exact same today.” Sporting Life recorded Murphy saying he deliberately “wanted to get in among them and give him an idea of what a Flat race is like because his next assignment, if he runs again on the Flat, will probably be in a Black Type race.”

Trainer Nicky Henderson described the run as an emotional relief after recent problems over hurdles. Henderson said “I think he enjoyed himself,” and reflected that “It’s been troublesome, but to see him back doing that is unbelievable. His work has been great and it just makes you think I should have been doing this five years ago – he could have won at three Royal Ascots by now!” Henderson confirmed there is no immediate commitment on targets, saying there are “all sorts of options, including the Champion Hurdle,” and noting the horse “stretched out well” on the surface.

Owner Michael Buckley acknowledged the reception in the winner’s enclosure, telling reporters “I've got to say that when you hear people like this, it just makes me cry.” Connections have highlighted that Constitution Hill has been schooling at home with Yogi Breisner and that the Southwell run was a fact-finding mission after a third fall in four outings over hurdles prompted a change of strategy and the skipping of Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle and the International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Coverage varied on the exact margin and prize figures; Sky Sports, Sporting Life and IrishRacing gave nine-and-a-half lengths, TalkSPORT gave nine lengths, and RacingPost used the term wide-margin victory. Official confirmation of the exact winning margin and prize distribution will be available on the racecard and official result.