Constitution Hill can rise to the event at Southwell’s Friday Night Live – Jason Heavey’s TV suggestions
The Daily Star’s chief tipster Jason Heavey expects the former Champion Hurdle winner to score on his long-awaited Flat debut on the all-weather
All eyes will be on Constitution Hill at Southwell to see if he can deliver a famous victory on his Flat debut(Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
THE highlight of Southwell’s TV extravaganza today will be CONSTITUTION HILL (7.30, trb) running in his first Flat race.
The champion hurdler of 2023 has been under a cloud since falling in three of his last four starts, including in last season’s Tuesday Cheltenham feature and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in December.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has gone back to basics to see if a confidence boosting run on the all-weather will put the nine-year-old back on track, and the 1m4f SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes looks the ideal opportunity.
He also has the benefit of champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the plate, Murphy having ridden him at Seven Barrows and tested him successfully for a starting-stall start.
CARGIN BHUI (6.00, nap) will be held up to pounce late for a follow-up victory in the Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap over 6f.
The five-year-old impressed at Wolverhampton two weeks ago, winning by two and a half lengths.
A stronger pace today would suit him, and despite being 6lb higher David and Nicola Barron’s gelding looks to have more to offer.
Southwell-based Scott Dixon has two entries in the opener, with Harbour Vision aiming for a hat-trick, but stablemate KING OF YORK (4.26, nb) can steal the limelight with a fourth course and distance win in division one of the Bet Responsibly With SBK Handicap, having come close here 15 days go.
He went down by a neck to My Mate Mike , who runs in division two, in which NO KNEE NEVER (4.58) can get his head in front having come late to snatch second over track and trip 15 days ago.
WONDER (5.30) has Murphy on board and first-time cheekpieces, which could swing things in his favour, while BETSEN (6.30) can repeat his debut win for his new yard following a couple of runs where things didn’t go his way.
Newcastle specialist MIDNIGHT LION (7.00) can score a hat-trick on his return to this venue.
EL BUFALO (8.00) will go better than his recent results suggest. In-form DOWN TO THE KID (8.30) targets a ninth course success.
Jason Heavey’s tips SOUTHWELL 4.26 King Of York (nb) 4.58 No Knee Never 5.30 Wonder 6.00 Cargin Bhui (Nap) 6.30 Betsen 7.00 Midnight Lion 7.30 Constitution Hill (trb) 8.00 El Bufalo 8.30 Down To The Kid
EXETER 2.14 Lisbane Park 2.44 Mountain Mike 3.14 Blue Las 3.45 Catch Catchfire 4.15 Klassy Pearl 4.45 Noble Blue 5.20 All About Trev
WARWICK 2.05 Scudamore 2.35 Sinnatra 3.05 Alcedo 3.35 Kenzoko 4.05 Up To Trix 4.35 Only Gossip 5.05 Sparkling Water
FFOS LAS 1.52 Haut Folin 2.22 Shade Of Winter 2.52 Harbour Island 3.22 Fresh Speculation 3.52 Morning Mayhem 4.22 El Rojo Grande 4.52 Orderoftheday
