'It would be Sod's Law' - Nicky Henderson fears Constitution Hill blow after superstar falls on wrong side of Southwell ballot

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Nicky Henderson fears Constitution Hill will miss out on his eagerly anticipated Flat debut at Southwell on Friday after his superstar hurdler was left needing multiple withdrawals from the oversubscribed race. 

Henderson has targeted the 1m4f novice contest on the Friday Night Live card to get his star's career back on track after the nine-year-old fell at the second flight in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November. It was his third crashing fall in his last four runs.

However, a random ballot on Sunday revealed he is 16th in the list of potential runners, meaning his participation will be reliant on others not being declared.

There is currently a maximum field limit of 14 runners for the race, which would mean Constitution Hill needs two horses to come out to be guaranteed a run. However, stabling capacity limits at Southwell could see the maximum field drop to 12 runners, meaning he would require four to drop out.

Constitution Hill's chance of making the cut received an early boost after Hughie Morrison told the Racing Post that Secret Squirrel was "doubtful" to run following his Kingwell Hurdle third on Saturday. The trainer is set to rely on Star Artist.

Henderson had earmarked a run on the Flat following Constitution Hill's Fighting Fifth fall, and the SBK-backed novice contest was added to Southwell's fixture in the hope of attracting him, with its prize-money set at a bumper £40,000.

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

There has been significant interest ahead of Constitution Hill's Flat debut, with Oisin Murphy lined up for the ride. 

Henderson said: "Let's hope there's a couple in there who don't need to run. It'd be very sad if he didn't get in because a lot of work has gone into putting this together and it's had a lot of media coverage, which has been good fun. 

"It's a good thing it's caused a lot of interest, but it'll be a pity if he has to miss the party. It would be Sod's Law, but life is life."

BHA rules in the ballot elimination process give priority to "horses that have run in or completed no more than two Flat races and have been placed in the first four at least once in those races", with eight of the 32 entries in that group.

Constitution Hill: not seen since falling in the Fighting Fifth HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Constitution Hill was among 15 qualifiers in the second preference band, which goes to "horses that have not run in a Flat race". If there are more declarations than spaces available in the field, they will be eliminated in the order established by the ballot.

If Constitution Hill is unable to run, Henderson will have to go back to the drawing board with his plans for the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner. He is entered in next month's Cheltenham Festival contest, for which he is a 4-1 chance.

He said: "We know the ballot system as we see it every day as trainers, and I think there's one that'll come out [Secret Squirrel] as he ran on Saturday, so I think we need another couple to come out.

"It's put a fair bit of pressure on us, but it's pretty crucial that he gets this run. Who knows where we'd go next if not? We're all ready to go anyway."

Nicky Henderson: "It's pretty crucial that he gets this run"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

A crowd of around 2,000 racegoers is expected for the second Friday Night Live fixture, with the card also set for ITV Racing coverage.

A BHA spokesperson said: "Following the automated random ballot, Constitution Hill is number 16 in order for the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes. The maximum field size for the race will either be 12 or 14, depending on available stabling capacity and whether other races on the card divide."

The Willie Mullins-trained Daddy Long Legs, a Grade 3 winner over hurdles, is entered. Fergal O'Brien (Tripoli Flyer), Dan Skelton (Gambino) and Paul Nicholls (Nardaran) are other jumps trainers who could be represented, with declarations at 10am on Wednesday.

• SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes (7.30 Southwell, Friday)
  Paddy Power: 4-6 Constitution Hill, 5-2 Square Necker, 4 Daddy Long Legs, 13-2 Jupiter Ammon, Tripoli Flyer, 10 Grazeon Sunshine, 12 Gambino, 14 Minella Rescue, Roadlesstravelled, Summer Appeal, 16 Don Simon, Noble Way, 20 bar.

• Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00 Cheltenham, March 10) Unibet: 11-4 The New Lion, 3 Brighterdaysahead, 4 Constitution Hill, 6 Golden Ace, Lossiemouth, 14 Poniros, 16 Anzadam, 20 Alexei, Ballyburn, Tutti Quanti, 66 Casheldale Lad, 100 Wilful, Workahead, 150 Lucky Place.  

Horses guaranteed a run at Southwell

Gambino
Square Necker
Daddy Long Legs
Mr McLoughlan
Nardaran
Secret Squirrel
Star Artist
Tripoli Flyer
John Galt
Masked Mistress
Tide Lines
Summer Appeal

Next in line to get a run

Roadlesstravelled
Noble Way
Miracles Do Happen
Constitution Hill
Here Comes Georgie
Tres Bien
Grazeon Sunshine
Cribbins
The Kemble Brewery
Newtown Rambler
Calypso Bloom
King Of The Road
Minella Rescue
Jupiter Ammon
Don Simon
Pulsar Star
Saviour
The Sweet Escape
Qaaeadd

Not qualified to run

Thankyou Baroness

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Constitution Hill could be denied Southwell Flat debut with random draw taking place on Sunday 

'He can come and we can go out for dinner!' - Nicky Henderson welcomes prospect of Willie Mullins and others taking on Constitution Hill 

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