English/Ire
Constitution Hill set for Flat debut after featuring in Southwell declarations
Constitution Hill’s eagerly-anticipated debut on the Flat looks set to go ahead after he featured among the fourteen declarations for the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes (7.30) at Southwell’s Friday Night Live fixture.
Following the field size limit increasing to fourteen, Nicky Henderson's former Champion Hurdle hero needed two horses above him on the ballot list to not declare, and with Secret Squirrel, John Galt, Tide Lines and Summer Appeal all failing to confirm, Constitution Hill's place in the £40,000 prize has been cemented.
Owned by Michael Buckley, Constitution Hill will have to navigate gate twelve as he jumps from the stalls for the first time in public under Oisin Murphy.
Main rivals Daddy Long Legs, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, has been handed stall one for Willie Mullins, while the Amo Racing-owned Square Necker will jump from gate five under retained rider David Egan.
Dan Skelton is responsible for saddling Gambino, who is set to be ridden by Hollie Doyle, while Billy Loughnane has been tasked with steering Fergal O'Brien's talented hurdler Tripoli Flyer from stall fourteen.
Paddy Power make Constitution Hill the 11/10 market leader to score on his flat debut, having been as short as 4/6 during the week, with the same firm seeing Square Necker (7/4) as his chief threat. Willie Mullins' Daddy Long Legs is next in the betting at 7/2.
