We are creeping closer to the date of Constitution Hill’s next run. He will make his flat-race debut on Friday, February 20, at Southwell, a plan that has been in place for some time.

But while we’ve known the race he’s running in, what we haven’t known is who will ride him, until now. It has been confirmed that Oisin Murphy will ride Constitution Hill. The leading flat jockey has secured the ride and has been at the Henderson yard, sitting on his star mount.

The five time Champion jockey has ridden for owner Michael Buckley in the past, on the flat, and discussions between the pair have been going on behind the scenes.

As expected, as it may have been, we now have official confirmation that Murphy will be riding arguably the most talked-about horse in training.

What Will We Learn from Southwell Run?

The honest truth to say here is that I don’t think we’ll learn very much at all from the Southwell race.

I’d expect the competition to be thin on the ground and pretty weak all round. Any horse worth anything will stay away, not wanting to finish close to such a highly rated horse, and there’s plenty of other races for younger runners, so it’s not like they’ve got to run due to a lack of options.

CONFIRMED: Oisin Murphy will ride Constitution Hill at Southwell for his eagerly anticipated Flat debut this month ✅

Nicky Henderson has not ruled out a switch back to hurdling with his star following initial work with jumping guru Yogi Breisner

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 4, 2026

So, I guess that he’ll be long odds on, not have much to beat, and win on the bridle.

While I’m sure Nicky Henderson will be happy to see him win again, it doesn’t help him work out just what he has in terms of a flat runner. He’s not a horse that could go handicapping, so a flat campaign would need to be at Listed level, or better.

Can the horse do anything in the race to warrant being pushed straight up to that level? I don’t think he can, and for that reason, I’m not sure Henderson will get as many answers as he’s hoping for.

What Comes After Southwell?

The big question from all of this is what comes next for Constitution Hill, a topic I’ve covered before, and given we’re not going to learn that much, I think it’s going to be very difficult to do anything other than the obvious.

After winning at Southwell, you’d assume, I think Nicky Henderson will leave the Champion Hurdle decision up to owner Michael Buckley. If he wants to run him, they will. If not, they’ll save him for the flat and focus firmly on that direction for the rest of his career.

I think he goes onto the flat over the summer regardless of whether he runs at Cheltenham or not, and I think they may as well roll the dice. Top staying races will be on the agenda, probably at Listed level to begin, before going up to group races, assuming things go to plan, later in the summer.

Even if Cheltenham goes well and he gets round, I think he would have to win the Champion Hurdle for the flat campaign to be under threat.

Should he fall again at Cheltenham, or struggle badly, I do think that will be the last time we ever see him over hurdles.

Whatever happens, the horse owes his trainer and owners nothing. I hope they do right by him. I want to see him again. I think the prospect of him being on the flat is a fascinating idea, but let’s not be silly if he’s not enjoying it.