Constitution Hill Makes Flat Debut at Southwell Today: Latest Odds & Race Analysis
All eyes of the racing world will be on Southwell later, for an evening novice event, the kind of race that usually attracts people in the hundreds, tonight you can times that by 10.
Constitution Hill, for the racing fans on Free Bets, arguable one of the best jumps horses in recent years, makes his flat racing debut in a switch of code after a series of falls.
The start of something new? The perfect Champion Hurdle prep? It's all up in the air, and that only adds to the fascination of this race tonight.
Constitution Hill Odds: 7:30pm Southwell
There's been plenty of opinion pushed out there by almost everyone in the sport, but what do betting sites think of the race?
Here's the full racecard, plus latest odds on the contest.
As I sit typing this out on the morning of the race, Constitution Hill is favourite to win, at around the 6/4 mark with a few firms.
I expect this will stay the same, as much as there may be support for others in the race, Constitution Hill has plenty of fans, and especially on track tonight, I think we'll continue to see money for him.
Square Necker is second favourite, the pair were initially joint favourites, or at least much closer than they are now, when declarations were made, but he's drifted a little since then.
Jumps horses, Daddy Long Legs and Tripoli Flyer are next in line, and will probably be the two most appealing to those looking for an each way angle.
With a field like this, there's going to be plenty of horse racing tips and predictions coming at you from everyone in the sport, and for a novice event at Southwell, I think it's great.
Who are the Opposition?
I think this race has developed into something the Constitution Hill team didn't want, but it's a treat for punters.
The minute a flat race was mentioned, then created for Nicky Henderson, sponsors put £40,000 up as prize money, in a bid to try and convince them to run. It seems this was the plan all along, so they didn't need any convincing, but what it also did, was alert every trainer in the country to a pot that's almost 10x as valuable as a normal race of this nature at this track.
Square Necker leads the charge against the favourite. A two time runner for Amo Racing, winning at Dundalk last time out, and running a strong race on debut at Doncaster before that.
He looks every bit the type to improve on the flat this season, and if he's fit after two months off, then you can easily see why he's the main danger.
When Willie Mullins announced he would be sending at least one runner for this race, it was kept under wraps who that would be, but many correctly guessed Daddy Long Legs, and he's even brought Ryan Moore over to ride for him.
Second in the 2025 Irish Champion Hurdle, 9th in the County Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he's not been seen since a flat run last May, where he finished third.
We saw Tripoli Flyer last month finishing second in a competitive Ascot handicap, before that he chased home Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle.
Good performances as a novice last season, especially over at Punchestown behind Final Demand, shows the talent he's got. This is his flat debut, with trainer Fergal O'Brien trying to take advantage of the big pot on offer.
Further down the list as we get to the outsiders, there's horses from the Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Jonjo O'Neill yards, showing just how many top jumps trainers are trying to get their hands on this enhanced prize.
Constitution Hill: Will He Win?
The million dollar question, will Constitution Hill win this race? For the good of racing, and for his Champion Hurdle prospects, I hope he does win, and I hope that's the next port of call for Team Henderson.
But I do have my doubts. I think this is a long trop on the flat for a horse that is a true out and out two miler, that's definitely against him.
His wide draw is not ideal, not enough to stop him from winning, but definitely a note of caution around his chances, especially with him main danger Square Necker having the perfect stall in five.
I won't be having a bet, and when it comes to what I'm selecting later, I will be against Constitution Hill at the price he currently is. But the bigger picture of course, I want to see him win, and I want him in the Champion Hurdle next month.
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