'The perfect race' - Constitution Hill set for Flat debut on Southwell's Friday Night Live card after addition of £40,000 novice contest

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Constitution Hill's preparation for a potential return to the Cheltenham Festival could involve a run on the Flat at Southwell as part of the track's Friday Night Live card on February 20.

Nicky Henderson has expressed his desire to run the eight-year-old before his possible appearance in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10, and he could feature in the new racing series at the Nottinghamshire track after the BHA confirmed a 1m4f novice, worth £40,000 and open to horses aged four and above, will be added to the fixture.

The SBK-sponsored Class 2 race, which has moved from the track's fixture four days later, will be the joint-most valuable novice to be run on the all-weather in Britain, and it will represent a rare crossover moment, with the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner potentially lining up on the Flat for the first time.

Friday Night Live is a new initiative created by Arena Racing Company (Arc) and in partnership with Invades, an events and media company that facilitates sporting trips for students. Broadcast on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing, the five-part series was due to commence at Wolverhampton last week, but the meeting was cancelled due to snow. The series will now begin at Newcastle on February 6, before Southwell hosts the next round two weeks later.

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Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson said: "It's the perfect race for him and the timing couldn't be better. It's our intention to go and the horse, a jockey, the owner and trainer will attend. It'll be great and he's used to having crowds for his races, so it'll be good for him. We have to now go and experiment with starting stalls."

Constitution Hill has only ever faced hurdles on a racecourse, winning ten of his 14 starts, but he has experienced heavy falls in three of his last four outings, and has been given a short break after he came down at the second flight in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November.

Adam Baylis, marketing director of SBK, said: "Supporting British racing is massively important to us at SBK, so when Nicky Henderson spoke about the need for a Flat race with these conditions for Constitution Hill, we took the idea to Arc. We’re delighted to have been able to help make it happen, and it’s a great boost to the Friday Night Live series."

Sam Cone, head of communications and public affairs at Arc, added: "We're delighted to assist in the delivery of this opportunity, and are grateful to SBK, without whom it would not be possible. The race should certainly add an extra dimension to the Friday Night Live fixture at Southwell on February 20, to those coming along to experience the evening in person as well as those watching at home on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing."

The eight-time Grade 1 winner is a general 14-1 shot for the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the festival, and he is set to be among the entries when they close at lunchtime today. 

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 10)
Unibet: 5-4 Sir Gino, 4 The New Lion, 6 Lossiemouth, 14 Brighterdaysahead, Constitution Hill, Golden Ace, 16 Anzadam, 25 bar.

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Nicky Henderson will let Clarence House decide Jonbon's Cheltenham target and confirms Constitution Hill's Champion Hurdle entry 

Kempton novice stakes could be as good as any race to get Constitution Hill back on track 

There's only one way for Constitution Hill to emerge from the shadow of jeopardy - switch him to the Flat 

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