• Home
  • Live TV
  • Schedule
  • Betting
  • News
  • Log in
  • Sign up now
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy and cookie notice
  • About Us
  • DAZN GROUP
  • NEWS
  • Contact Us
  • DAZN™
Advertisement
Horse Racing

Geraghty full of hope for Constitution Hill at Southwell

PA
PA
Published by Josh Luckhurst
18, Feb
ShareClose
facebook logoFacebooktwitter logoXwhatsApp logoWhatsApplinkedin logoLinkedinreddit logoReddit
Geraghty full of hope for Constitution Hill at Southwell

Constitution Hill’s natural speed has always been the standout attribute, according to Barry Geraghty.

The nine-year-old heads to Southwell on Friday for his first start on the Flat after his jumping struggles came to the fore once again in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November.

A change of tact from Nicky Henderson means it will be five-time Flat champion jockey Oisin Murphy, and not Nico de Boinville, aboard Constitution Hill as he temporarily pauses his hurdling career.

“Constitution Hill is a very good work horse. He shows so much natural pace at home, he’s not a horse who is reliant on a jump to make him a good horse,” Geraghty, who bought Constitution Hill as foal, told William Hill.

“A mile and a half around Southwell should be right up his street and there’s no better man than Oisin to have in the saddle.

“Judging on what he shows at home, you’d like to think he’ll win and it will take a smart one to come home in front of him over a mile and a half.”

He went on: “It’s great for Constitution Hill to get the chance of a day out. He’s had a troubled time of it for the past two years really, so it’s good for him to get out and hopefully have a nice experience.

“Obviously, you’d like to think he’s going to go and win, but it’s just nice for him to go to a racecourse, soak in the atmosphere, have a race and be competitive.

“You can bring him for a racecourse gallop, which is in a non-competitive environment, but there will be a different energy in Southwell – he’s going to draw a crowd and there’s going to be an atmosphere.

“It’s important to get some of that fizz out of him before a possible trip to Cheltenham. It’s good for the horse more than anything, so it makes a lot of sense for Nicky to have gone this route.”

His fall at Gosforth Park was the third on his last four appearances, the first of which came when he was odds-on favourite to win his second Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.

He has been visited by jumping guru Yogi Breisner in a bid to get his hurdling career back on track and improvements could see the Seven Barrows superstar return to Prestbury Park for another shot at the blue riband next month.

“I’m sure his schooling at home will dictate whether he is a Cheltenham runner or he is a Flat runner from here on,” Geraghty added.

“There are good vibes on his schooling – Yogi Breisner has been with him a few times and I believe he’s done really well, so that’s very positive.

“As he gets closer to Cheltenham, I’d imagine his schooling would get sharper pace wise, and if he can come through that with no red flags, you’d love to think that we could be looking at him in the Champion Hurdle in three weeks’ time.”

Editors' Picks

Soccer

World Cup 2026 fixtures: Schedule, kick-off times, venues for every nation

DAZNDAZN
5, Jun
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Schedule, kick-off times, venues for every nation
Boxing

Boxing schedule: Fight dates, TV channel and live stream for confirmed cards

DAZNDAZN
5, Jun
Boxing schedule: Fight dates, TV channel and live stream for confirmed cards
Boxing

How to subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV fights included in your plan

DAZNDAZN
5, Jun
How to subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV fights included in your plan
Boxing

How much does DAZN cost in the United States? Boxing, Champions League, Serie A and more - Subscription price, payment methods, sports to watch, how to watch

DAZNDAZN
5, Jun
How much does DAZN cost in the United States? Boxing, Champions League, Serie A and more - Subscription price, payment methods, sports to watch, how to watch
See all news
Related news

Epsom team reflect on ‘extremely positive’ feedback to Derby day changes

PAPA
16 hours ago
Epsom team reflect on ‘extremely positive’ feedback to Derby day changes

It all feels a lot like Christmas for O’Brien and Coolmore at Epsom

PAPA
17 hours ago
It all feels a lot like Christmas for O’Brien and Coolmore at Epsom

Maltese Cross nearly produced Hollywood ending to the Derby

PAPA
17 hours ago
Maltese Cross nearly produced Hollywood ending to the Derby

Post-race betting drama with Benvenuto Cellini ruled a non-runner

PAPA
17 hours ago
Post-race betting drama with Benvenuto Cellini ruled a non-runner

Christmas Day first on Derby day for Aidan O’Brien and Ronan Whelan

PAPA
18 hours ago
Christmas Day first on Derby day for Aidan O’Brien and Ronan Whelan