Southwell
Constitution Hill wins impressively on flat debut at Southwell
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Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, secured a commanding victory in his first flat race at Southwell on February 20, 2026. The nine-year-old horse, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Oisin Murphy, won by nine and a half lengths in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes. The performance has sparked discussions about his future, including a potential return to the Champion Hurdle.
Constitution Hill made a successful transition to flat racing with an easy victory in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the horse outclassed rivals to win by nine-and-a-half lengths as the 6/4 favourite. Trainer Nicky Henderson expressed emotional relief after the performance.
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A controversy has arisen over whether Nicky Henderson's Constitution Hill will be allowed to run in a special novice event at Southwell on Friday, due to the risk of being balloted out under standard racing rules. The race, enhanced with £40,000 in prize money, appears tailored for the former Champion Hurdle winner, but the British Horse Racing Authority insists on fair competition for all eligible horses. Racing pundit Matt Chapman argues for an exception to guarantee the horse's participation.