Constitution Hill set for Southwell after making final field

After an anxious wait as the declarations came in on Wednesday morning, Constitution Hill’s eagerly-awaited appearance on the Flat will go ahead as planned at Southwell on Friday night.

The £40,000 SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes has been one of racing’s hottest talking points since Nicky Henderson outlined his plan to use the contest as a stopping point en route to a possible tilt at the Champion Hurdle.

However, the race attracted a bumper entry of 32 entries on Saturday and with Constitution Hill not guaranteed a starting place following the balloting process that took place, his fate was left in the hands of others.

After the safety limit of the class two event was lifted to 14, Constitution Hill needed two horses ahead of him in the elimination process not to be declared on Wednesday morning.

Although there may have been some nerves in Lambourn on the countdown to declarations closing at 10am, the nine-year-old was comfortably among the final field after four runners above him in the priority list were not declared.

All eyes will now be on the once unbeatable hurdler as he makes his debut on the level under Oisin Murphy, where he will face some stern opposition from Amo Racing’s recent Dundalk scorer Square Necker among others.

Henderson’s great friend and rival from the jumping scene Willie Mullins will saddle Daddy Long Legs with Ryan Moore taking the ride, while another notable jockey booking is Billy Loughnane aboard Fergal O’Brien’s Grade Two-winning hurdler Tripoli Flyer.

Not only was there a sigh of relief from Seven Barrows when Constitution Hill made the final line-up but also at the Nottinghamshire track where the action will take place, with the Rolleston venue set to welcome a bumper crowd for what has become the hottest ticket in racing.

Southwell’s managing director Kirsty Edwards said: “The team here are working really hard to pull it all together and with the mix of Friday Night Live and Constitution Hill it will be brilliant. I’ve told my team to have fun, try to have a great time and enjoy it really.

“It’s really special and I think it will be a unique evening. To be able to sit and watch it all come together – and there have been a few sleepless nights because you just want things to run perfectly – it’s great that it is nearly here and we’re all genuinely excited.

“We’re expecting over 2,500 which for us on an evening would be a huge crowd. For an evening fixture that would be near capacity. It will be busy and it’s not every day this happens on a Friday night in February.

“We’ve put additional food and drink facilities in place outside to accommodate all racegoers and hopefully it will be a great night out and everyone can enjoy this spectacular event.”