Constitution Hill could switch to Flat full-time after triumphant Southwell debut
constitution hill turned his belated Flat debut at Southwell into a procession, winning the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes by nine and a half lengths and prompting his trainer to say the result “opens up a lot of doors. ” The performance has left connections weighing whether the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner should stay on the Flat full-time.
Constitution Hill’s Flat debut: a one-sided Southwell success
The seven-barrows-trained nine-year-old was ridden by Oisin Murphy from stall 12 over a mile and a half and was sent off the 6-4 favourite. He cruised clear in the straight and beat Square Necker by nine-and-a-half lengths, finishing well ahead of his rivals as the packed stands cheered every stride at the evening meeting at Southwell.
A stunned Seven Barrows and a jubilant crowd of 3, 520
Trainer Nicky Henderson described the display as something he "couldn't have dreamed" and warned that the result forces serious decisions. Michael Buckley, the owner, said the win was a vindication after a traumatic year that included a fall at the fifth at Cheltenham and a third fall in four starts in Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Southwell confirmed 3, 520 racegoers turned out for the meeting, compared with 320 at the same fixture 12 months earlier, and the venue created a £40, 000 event for novices that gave connections the opportunity to test the horse on the level.
What the result means for his future
Henderson admitted the display "opens up a lot of doors" and said the team "have to think long and hard" about whether the gelding remains on the Flat. Oisin Murphy, who rode the race, said the horse "felt like a machine" and suggested if Constitution Hill continues on the level he would face tougher assignments and possibly black-type races.
For Michael Buckley the win was an emotional turnaround: he said "we've always known he was special" after a season that saw lofty expectations for the Champion Hurdle undone by falls and setbacks. Constitution Hill had drifted in the betting before a rush of support on the day put him into favour.
Racing voices are split on what the Southwell romp signals next: some see a Flat campaign as suddenly plausible, while others point out the gelding is nine years old and that hurdling remains an option. The immediate fact is simple — constitution hill answered questions on the level with a dominant victory and left connections with a new set of choices.
Connections say there is no confirmed next target. Henderson and the ownership team will consider the options before deciding whether Constitution Hill returns to hurdles or pursues a campaign on the Flat.
