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 returned to form with a dominant display at Southwell Racecourse in Nottinghamshire, marking his debut on the flat after a series of setbacks over hurdles. The race, a mile-and-a-half novice stakes on the all-weather track with a £40,000 prize, saw the 6-4 favourite take the lead over a furlong out and pull away to win by nine and a half lengths ahead of Square Necker and Gambino. This victory came after the horse had won his first 10 races but suffered falls in three of his last four outings, including at the 2025 Champion Hurdle, Aintree, and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November 2025.
Trainer Nicky Henderson described the win as opening 'a lot of doors,' noting the challenges of the past year. 'We've been through a few tears over the last year or so,' Henderson said. 'It's nice to be back with positive vibes. We've got lots to look forward to and lots of decisions to make. There are all sorts of options, including the Champion Hurdle.' Jockey Oisin Murphy, a five-time champion, praised the horse's performance: 'He felt like a machine. For a big horse that's been jumping, he has a lot of speed and he's a joy to ride.'
Owner Michael Buckley, who received cheers from the crowd of 3,520—ten times larger than the previous year's equivalent fixture—expressed emotion over the support. 'When you hear people like this, it just makes me cry,' Buckley said. 'He's something special and people love him - and I love them for loving him.'
Bookmakers have installed Constitution Hill as the 7-4 favourite for the March 10, 2026, Champion Hurdle, though no final decision has been made on his next target. Participation in the race was confirmed only on Wednesday after a ballot process, following an increase in prize money by organizers.
