Star hurdler Constitution Hill was handed a lifeline by organisers at Southwell.
The nine-year-old’s chances of racing on the all-weather on Friday had been dashed until extra stabling facilities were made available.
The 2023 Champion Hurdle hero has never raced on the flat before. There have been calls for him to do so in the past, though Nicky Henderson had resisted the notion.
That was, until Constitution Hill developed his recent, unfortunate habit of falling during his races. He has fallen in identical fashion in three of his last four starts.
As such, the Seven Barrows team searched for a confidence booster, with Southwell’s £40,000 novice event the ideal ticket. However, those best laid plans looked dashed after he was only 16th in the ballot of 32 entries, leaving him outside the guaranteed cut line of runners.
His chances were boosted on Monday, though, as Southwell increased their total stabling capacity. This ensures the maximum number of runners in Constitution Hill’s proposed race will definitely be 14.
This does not yet guarantee him a run, as at least two horses still need to be withdrawn. Nevertheless, this is a boon for both the track and connections of the horse, who will learn more on Friday.
BHA increase Southwell stabling capacity
The stabling capacity at Southwell is for 108 horses. This would have only guaranteed 12 runners in Constitution Hill’s particular race if the meeting was well subscribed.
Given this is the second edition of Friday Night Live, the races at the Midlands track were popular. As such, it would have limited the field size for the £40,000 novice race. This would, in turn, have pushed Constitution Hill further away from the definite pecking order.
An extra two stables have been made available to Southwell for Friday’s fixture, however, This means 14 horses can run in Constitution Hill’s race.
The head of the BHA’s Racing and Betting team, Tom Byrne, told the Press Association via Racing TV: “The additional stabling capacity has been allocated to the Class 2 SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes considering the high demand for the race and that it is number one in the race sequence should any capacity otherwise arise due to the declaration numbers in other races.”
At least one horse above Constitution Hill in the ballot looks unlikely to run. Secret Squirrel was third in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday, so will probably avoid the close turnaround between races. Trainer Hughie Morrison has also entered the unraced Star Artist, so has other prospects.
Constitution Hill has been made the ante-post favourite for the race, though a nervous wait remains before Wednesday’s declarations.