Racing Weekly: Like it or not, Constitution Hill's Southwell saga is good for racing

Odds Now horse racing expert Harry Fowler delivers his latest Racing Weekly column. In this edition, he looks at how Constitution Hill's run on the Flat at Southwell this week could impact racing.

Constitution Hill confirmed

The next Friday Night Live at Southwell Racecourse is fast approaching, and the inevitable has now been confirmed: Constitution Hill will take his place in what is now a 14-runner field.

The situation has divided racing fans, just as most big decisions do. You can’t please everyone. But from a wider perspective, this feels like a positive for the sport.

Racing is, first and foremost, a spectator sport. There will be a significant crowd at Southwell on Friday purely because Constitution Hill is running – and I’ll be one of them. If a single horse can draw people through the gates, why wouldn’t you stage the event?

The race hasn’t been created especially for him; it has simply been moved, and the sponsors have injected extra prize money to elevate what now looks a genuinely quality contest.

Any key takeaways?

So, what can we learn from this unique ocasion?​

In truth, very little – at least regarding the Champion Hurdle. The only real takeaway will be whether he proves good enough on the Flat to avoid another hurdles start.

It’s fair to say that running him again over obstacles, should something go wrong, would be catastrophic for National Hunt racing. Going again with a horse that has fallen three times and effectively been pulled up in his last four starts over hurdles would present uncomfortable questions for the sport.

If he were to line up in another Champion Hurdle, you would imagine there would need to be robust procedures in place to ensure his jumping was fully up to scratch beforehand.

Of course, Nicky Henderson has dismissed such concerns publicly. Yet before his run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle there were whispers that he had suffered a fall at home in the preceding week. They say there is no smoke without fire.

Still a big draw

Back to Friday though, where, sentimentally speaking, I would love nothing more than to see Constitution Hill power clear and remind us of the old him.

Regardless of whether he is still viewed as a superstar, he remains one of the biggest names in racing. Performances like Jonbon’s last Saturday are what the sport thrives on – top-class horses delivering on the big stage.

However, putting emotion aside and thinking as a punter, the market dynamics will be fascinating. He opened at 4/6 in the ante-post markets but has now drifted to around 7/4 – a far more realistic reflection of his chances.

I can see him hardening again on the day amid the hype, perhaps even going off around even money. And if that happens, I’d be inclined to take him on – as much as it'll pain me to do so!

Square Necker appeals as the solid option. He shaped well on debut behind two useful types and then won comfortably last time, beating a 93-rated rival by three and three-quarter lengths. He does have to concede 5lbs, but with enough question marks surrounding others in the market, siding with proven Flat form makes sense.

Read More: Henderson ‘changing mind every day’ over Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle bid

The start could prove crucial – particularly for Constitution Hill and Daddy Long Legs. A 14-runner field adds complexity, especially given Constitution Hill has never faced this many rivals.

We’ve seen the footage of his stalls work; and while you’d assume improvement has been forthcoming, he could hardly have been slower on that occasion. Drawn in stall 12, a tardy break could leave him wide and a fair bit further back than ideal.

As for Daddy Long Legs, a repeat of the slow start he made on his last Flat appearance would see him buried on the inside from stall 1, potentially trapped behind a wall of horses.

For all the debate, Friday promises to be compelling theatre. Whether it tells us anything definitive about March is doubtful – but as a spectacle, it’s exactly what racing needs.