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Willie Mullins could add intriguing spice to the meeting at Southwell on Friday week, as he gives serious consideration to fielding a runner against Constitution Hill.
Nicky Henderson’s superstar Constitution Hill will be having his first run on the Flat and will be partnered by champion jockey Oisín Murphy in a mile-and-a-half novice event on the all-weather.
The former champion hurdler has fallen three times from his last four starts over timber and his run next week could lead to further outings on the level or set up another Cheltenham bid.
With £40,000 on offer in prize money, it is unlikely to be a walkover and now champion trainer Mullins has thrown a potential starter from his Closutton base into the mix.
He said: “Every trainer will be trying to find something and of course we’ll have something for it. I just wonder what the Newmarket yards might have for it, the likes of John Gosden and Roger Varian are all going to pull something out aren’t they.
“It’s a £40,000 maiden, of course I’m thinking of running something in it. We’re giving it some thought. I’ve got a couple in mind, but I haven’t spoken to the owners, it will be good craic.
“Obviously someone has pumped the money in and brought that particular race a week forward and it’s great, I’m not going to contend many times when someone puts extra money in for an owner to win. Hopefully it will be one of my owners.
“It’s going to create a lot of positive publicity for racing and I think it is fine to do. I don’t see any negatives. I might even go, you never know.”
Much has been written about Constitution Hill’s woes, and while Mullins was reluctant to speak too much about what he thinks might be the issues for a horse trained by his great friend and rival, he indicated he would not be afraid to go over hurdles again.
He added: “God forbid he gets injured, or injures someone. It’s three out of the last four now [races he has fallen in], but I’ve lots of horses with more letters than numbers in front of their names. We don’t worry about it, we keep going.
“Look at Shanbally Kid before he won the big handicap in Punchestown, he might not have letters but he definitely had plenty of mistakes.
“They’re horses, they’ll come right. Nicky Henderson has probably trained more Champion Hurdle winners than I’ll ever train, so I’m not going to second guess whatever Nicky does.”
Mullins was speaking as he hosted the media at The Lord Bagenal Inn in Leighlinbridge – a departure from the traditional pre-Cheltenham visit to his yard.
He revealed he had been suffering with a back issue, but whether he goes to Southwell or not he hopes to be fit and well for the showpiece event in the Cotswolds next month.
“Sorry we couldn’t be in the yard, although it’s probably better than standing in the rain!” he said.
“I just couldn’t stand, I’m sore all over, but I’m hoping to be right for Cheltenham.”
