Nicky Henderson is concerned that Constitution Hill, his star hurdler making a highly anticipated Flat debut at Southwell, may miss the race due to an oversubscribed field and a random ballot placing him 16th on the waiting list. The race has a maximum field limit of 12 to 14 runners, meaning Constitution Hill needs several horses to withdraw to secure a spot. Despite the uncertainty, there is significant interest in the race, with Oisin Murphy confirmed to ride Constitution Hill if he runs. Henderson emphasized the importance of this Flat debut for the nine-year-old, who has had recent falls in hurdle races and is also entered for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle.

The ballot system prioritizes horses with limited Flat race experience and good placements, placing Constitution Hill in the second preference group, making his participation dependent on others withdrawing. Some withdrawals seem likely, such as Secret Squirrel, whose trainer expressed doubt about running. If Constitution Hill cannot run, Henderson will need to reconsider his plans for the horse’s season. The event is expected to attract around 2,000 spectators and will be covered by ITV Racing, highlighting the high profile of Constitution Hill’s potential Flat debut.