Five-time British Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy is all set to get the leg up on 2023 Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill. The nine-year-old makes his highly anticipated flat debut at Southwell on Friday Night Live.
Despite fears as to whether Constitution Hill would be balloted out of the £40,000 contest designed specifically for him, connections’ worries were eased prior to the 10am deadline as four horses above him in the order were taken out.
Speaking to the Press Association via Racing TV, Murphy noted “I’m really looking forward to Constitution Hill. Obviously he is a class horse and it was great to be asked by Michael Buckley to ride him. Michael and I have been friends for a long time.”
Murphy is no stranger to success with Nicky Henderson. He rode the 153-rated hurdler Buzz to victory in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket for Seven Barrows in 2021.
“There’s no real pressure and I’m used to riding high-class horses in important races. Of course everyone is going to want a result and hoping he can perform to his best, but he will be doing his best and so will I.”
Questions have been pondered as to whether Constitution Hill can replicate his electric nature of racing switched to the flat. However, Murphy provided optimism that he has all the attributes to succeed on the level.
“I’ve ridden high-class jumps horses in the past, the likes of Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere and Spring Heeled. He’s probably a good bit better than them and definitely a good bit faster.”
Henderson concerned about wide draw
Another potential spanner was thrown in to the works as Constitution Hill was drawn in stall 12 of 14. Nicky Henderson told the Racing Post that “I didn’t want to be drawn on the inside, so I suppose between four and seven would have been quite nice.
“[Stall] Twelve is a bit wide but Oisin knows what he’s got to do and I’ll leave that bit to him on where he wants to go.”
The draw sees him berthed away from his main market rivals in Square Necker and Daddy Long Legs. It will therefore test the tactical nuance of Murphy, with early positioning key on an unfamiliar surface.
Seldom will a novice stakes at Southwell create such a fervid atmosphere again. Then again, the combination of two of the most highly regarded athletes in the sport provide a fascinating spectacle for a blockbuster crowd on Friday.