In a surprising twist that has electrified the racing world, champion trainer Willie Mullins is plotting a cheeky challenge to Constitution Hill as the former Champion Hurdle winner prepares for his highly anticipated Flat debut at Southwell next week. Mullins revealed he has specific horses in mind to compete against the gelding in a specially created £40,000 race, aiming to upset Constitution Hill's attempt to revive his career after a series of setbacks over jumps.
A Dramatic Career Shift for Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill, once hailed as a future great after winning the 2023 Champion Hurdle and entering last year's Cheltenham Festival undefeated in ten starts, has faced a turbulent period. The 1-2 favourite suffered a dramatic fall early in the Cheltenham race with four hurdles remaining, followed by another fall at Aintree and a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
After extensive summer assessments, trainer Nicky Henderson expressed confidence that Constitution Hill was back at peak condition for his return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. However, misfortune struck again as the gelding fell at the second hurdle in a race won by Golden Ace, with second favourite The New Lion also falling.
Southwell's Special Race Creation
Following Henderson's suggestion to try Constitution Hill on the Flat, Southwell racecourse responded by creating a unique £40,000 mile-and-a-half race. This novice event, for horses aged four and upwards, will be staged within the Friday Night Live series fixture on February 20. A victory here could potentially pave the way for Constitution Hill to return to the Champion Hurdle in March, provided Henderson believes the gelding can maintain his footing.
However, winning will not be straightforward. Willie Mullins, whose Flat racing credentials include prestigious victories at Royal Ascot and last year's Breeders' Cup Turf, is among the major trainers planning to challenge Constitution Hill. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride Constitution Hill in this unexpected Flat departure.
Mullins' Enthusiastic Challenge
"It will be good craic," Mullins declared with characteristic enthusiasm. "A 40-grand maiden on a dirt track? Of course I'll have something for it! I'm wondering what Newmarket yards - are you hearing anything from the likes of Roger Varian or John Gosden? They are going to pull something out, aren't they? Someone pumped in the money and brought it a week forward. It's just great."
Mullins emphasized the positive publicity this showdown will generate for racing, stating, "It's going to create a lot of positive publicity for racing, isn't it? I don't see a negative. Is there a negative? We'll see you there! I've got a couple in mind but I haven't spoken to the owners yet!"
Broader Racing Implications
This unexpected matchup highlights the dynamic nature of horse racing, where top trainers like Mullins seize opportunities to test their strategies against high-profile competitors. The specially created race at Southwell represents a significant moment, blending the worlds of jumps and Flat racing in a competitive spectacle that promises to captivate fans and industry observers alike.
As the February 20 date approaches, all eyes will be on Southwell to see if Constitution Hill can successfully transition to the Flat or if Mullins' planned challenge will derail another comeback attempt. This event underscores the unpredictable drama that makes horse racing a perennial source of excitement and intrigue.
