National Hunt hero Constitution Hill is poised for a groundbreaking moment as he prepares to make his Flat debut at Southwell this Friday. The dual-Cheltenham Festival winner, a nine-year-old gelding trained by Nicky Henderson, will take to the Tapeta surface in a bid to revitalise his career following a series of heavy falls in recent hurdle races.
How to Watch Constitution Hill's Flat Debut for Free
The feature event, the SBK Road to Cheltenham Novice Stakes, is the centrepiece of the 'Friday Night Live' broadcast. Viewers can tune in to ITV4 for comprehensive coverage, complete with a dedicated presenting team and a festival-style atmosphere. For those preferring digital access, the entire broadcast will be streamed live for free via the ITVX app on mobile devices or smart platforms. Additionally, Sky Sports Racing will provide live coverage of the action.
Race Details and Schedule
Constitution Hill is scheduled to jump from the stalls at 7:30pm for the main event, which boasts a significant total prize pot of £40,000. The winner will earn £21,600, with second and third places taking home £10,140 and £5,072 respectively. The race card includes nine events, starting at 4:26pm, with subsequent races at 4:58pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 8:30pm.
This Class 2 Novice race covers a distance of one mile and four furlongs on Southwell's artificial surface, a staying trip designed for horses with limited Flat experience. Eligibility rules stipulate that no participant can have won more than two Flat races or a Group or Listed event.
Background and Expectations
Constitution Hill enters this Flat debut after a challenging period, having fallen in three of his last four hurdle starts, including a blunder at the second obstacle in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Connections view this run as a crucial confidence-building exercise ahead of his primary goal: the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, where he aims to reclaim the Champion Hurdle title on Tuesday, March 10.
Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride, adding to the anticipation. This debut offers a unique opportunity to assess whether Constitution Hill's jumping dominance can translate to the Flat. Currently priced at 7/4 with Ladbrokes, he is a strong favourite, and a clear, positive performance could solidify his plans for the upcoming festival.
This event marks a rare crossover in horse racing, drawing significant attention from National Hunt enthusiasts and Flat racing fans alike. With free viewing options and high stakes, it promises to be a memorable night at Southwell.
