English/Ire
Mullins set for Southwell showdown with Constitution Hill
Willie Mullins is preparing to take on Constitution Hill when he makes his flat debut in a £40,000 maiden at Southwell next Friday.
Willie Mullins is no stranger to facing the full might of Constitution Hill over hurdles having saddled numerous runners against the former Champion Hurdle winner, however, few were expecting the Closutton-based maestro to be involved in his flat debut.
But with £40,000 on offer, Mullins looks set to send a challenger across the Irish Sea, leaving Constitution Hill, who will be partnered by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, facing no easy task as he gears up for a potential run in the Champion Hurdle next month.
Speaking at a press event organised by the Jockey Club, Mullins said: "I think every trainer will be trying to find something and of course we'll have something for it. I just wonder what the Newmarket yards might have for it; the likes of John Gosden and Roger Varian are all going to pull something out aren't they.
"It's a £40,000 maiden, of course I'm thinking of running something in it. We're giving it some thought. I've got a couple in mind, but I haven't spoken to the owners, it will be good craic.
"Obviously someone has pumped the money in and brought that particular race a week forward and it's great, I'm not going to contend many times when someone puts extra money in for an owner to win. Hopefully it will be one of my owners.
"It's going to create a lot of positive publicity for racing, and I think it is fine to do. I don't see any negatives. I might even go, you never know."
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