Overview
- The BHA approved a new 1m4f £40,000 Class 2 novice on Southwell’s February 20 Friday Night Live card, created with ARC and sponsored by SBK after Nicky Henderson sought a suitable Flat option.
- Henderson confirmed Constitution Hill’s Unibet Champion Hurdle entry and said the horse will have a Flat run, with the Southwell race positioned as the likely prep.
- The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner has fallen in three of his last four starts, most recently in November’s Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, and he has had a short break including work with jumping expert Yogi Breisner.
- Champion Hurdle entries closed at 16, including Constitution Hill, with Sir Gino now the 5-4 favourite ahead of The New Lion and Lossiemouth in early markets.
- Cheltenham Trials Day could see Sir Gino meet The New Lion in the Unibet Hurdle, a clash expected to clarify the festival picture before March.