Constitution Hill make the cut for Flat debut at Southwell with Oisin Murphy booked to ride

He initially appeared to have fallen on the wrong side of the ballot after Sunday’s random draw to determine which of the 32 horses entered would make the cut, but connections – and those backing the race – will be relieved to see Constitution Hill’s name among the final field after four runners above him in the priority list were not declared on Wednesday morning.

Nicky Henderson’s top-class hurdler, who has fallen in three of his past four starts including the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle earlier this season, is the star attraction in the 12-furlong contest at the latest Friday Night Live fixture which will be shown live on ITV4.

Five-time champion Flat jockey Murphy has had three previous rides for the Henderson yard on the level, winning once.

The nine-year-old Constitution Hill, who is Paddy Power's 11/10 favourite and will emerge from stall 12, won’t have it all his own way as the much-talked-about £40,000 race has attracted a maximum field of 14 runners including Daddy Long Legs (stall 1) from the yard of Willie Mullins. He will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

Paul Nicholls runs Nardaran (10) under Cieren Fallon, Fergal O'Brien relies on Tripoli Flyer (14), while Dan Skelton has booked Hollie Doyle to partner Gambino (13).

The biggest danger to Constitution Hill according to the market is the Amo Racing-owned Zarak gelding, Square Necker, who has to concede 5lb in weight to the favourite having won a Dundalk maiden on his second public appearance last time out in December (replay below).

Constitution Hill remains the 7/2 third-favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10, with apparently no decision yet made on his participation in the race he won so impressively in 2023.

Paddy Power: 11/10 Constitution Hill, 7/4 Square Necker, 7/2 Daddy Long Legs, 10/1 Gambino, 14 Grazeon Sunshine, Tripoli Flyer, 20 Mr McLoughlan, Roadlesstravelled, 33 Noble Way, 50 Nardaran, 66 Masked Mistress, 150 Miracles Do Happen, Star Artist, 200 Tres Bien.

SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes - Runners and riders

1. Gambino (Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Hollie Doyle)

2. Square Necker (Kevin Philippart de Foy, David Egan)

3. Constitution Hill (Nicky Henderson, Oisin Murphy)

4. Daddy Long Legs (Willie Mullins, Ryan Moore)

5. Grazeon Sunshine (John & Sean Quinn, Jason Hart)

6. Mr McLoughlan (Jack Jones, Hector Crouch)

7. Nardaran (Paul Nicholls, Cieren Fallon)

8. Roadlesstravelled (Jonjo & AJ O'Neill, P.J. McDonald)

9. Star Artist (Hughie Morrison, Rob Hornby)

10. Tripoli Flyer (Fergal O'Brien, Billy Loughnane)

11. Noble Way (David O'Meara, David Nolan)

12. Masked Mistress (Jim & Suzi Best, Finley Marsh)

13. Miracles Do Happen (Tom Lacey, Luke Morris)

14. Tres Bien (Hayley Burton, Darragh Keenan)

Read more on Constitution Hill

• Alex Hammond: Southwell may test Hill's staying power
• John Ingles: Can class over hurdles see him through at Southwell?
• Graham Cunningham: No wrong answers in Constitution Hill debate

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