Constitution Hill has been handed a chance of running at Southwell on Friday after his hopes appeared to be dashed. They increased on the same afternoon He’s On Fire impressed at Carlisle for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
Find out more about both stories, and more, in our racing news round-up for Tuesday.
Constitution Hill given Southwell hope
After his hopes appeared dashed by a ballot on Sunday, Constitution Hill’s hopes of a Southwell run improved on Monday. The stalls capacity at the all-weather and jumps venue has been increased by two. As a result, Constitution Hill’s contest is guaranteed to have 14 runners, which means only two horses would have to be non-runners for Nicky Henderson’s star hurdler to run. Secret Squirrel, above him in the ballot, is an unlikely runner having raced at Wincanton at the weekend. (Racing TV)
He’s On Fire lives up to name
Patrick Mullins rode another winner in Britain on Monday courtesy of He’s On Fire at Carlisle. A heavy odds-on favourite for the race, Willie Mullins’ novice hurdler scored by 20 lengths. Son Patrick is attempting to ride a winner at every track in Britain, regularly coming over for midweek rides. This was his second victory in as many visits to Carlisle, with the horse having two Cheltenham Festival entries. They are in the Supreme and Turners Novices’ Hurdles. (Sporting Life)
Kempton’s Saturday line-ups confirmed
Defending champion Katate Dori heads the field for Kempton’s Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday. Sam Thomas’ chare won the race by 15 lengths a year ago, with other former winners including Desert Orchid. A trio of Grade 2s also go to post at the Surrey track. Precious Man heads nine runners in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, Jax Junior is favourite for the Pendil Novices’ Chase, while the four-year-old Mustang Du Breuil may take on his elders in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle. (Racing TV)
Maxwell & Holland Cooper weigh in on Cheltenham
David Maxwell will be backing El Cairos to come good in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. The eccentric former amateur rider owned the horse up until the start of this season. He rode the six-year-old to finish fifth in the Champion Bumper in 2025. However, his dispersal sale ensured El Cairos found a new home with Gordon Elliott, for whom he won at Thurles recently after a fall at the last on debut at Leopardstown. Maxwell said: “He’s very fast and has a proper turn of foot. It’s not surprising he’s very good.” (Racing Post)
Finally, Holland Cooper have launched a new campaign entitled “Racing Legends”. Joining forces with current and former weighing room luminaries, it focuses on traditional country and racing fashion. Jockeys such as Nick De Boinville and Harry Cobden were pictured as part of the campaign. They posed alongside former champions such as Ruby Walsh and Richard Dunwoody, as well as ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin. (Gloucestershire Live)