Constitution Hill Specials, Odds For Southwell & Cheltenham Festival

By Mark Fordham

Feb 19th, 2026 10:55 AM EST

It’s probably safe to assume there has never been as much fuss surrounding an all-weather race on a Friday evening at Southwell before this week. However, there haven’t been many specially created flat races for former Champion Hurdle winners who seem to be running scared of hurdles but need a tune up before the Cheltenham Festival.

That’s exactly what we’ll get this week as the great Constitution Hill lines up for a 1m4f race in the aptly named Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes. Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old has nearly £900,000 worth of prize money in his career and is now running in a Class 2. With such a big name, and other big trainers interested in the prize money - ahem, Willie Mullins - there is plenty of interest at horse racing betting sites in what would be a relatively anonymous race without such star power.

Constitution is among the favourites to take a first flat race win in his first such start with most betting sites. Aside from the cracking free bets operators will have for the occasion, some also have some Constitution Hill specials for the Southwell showdown. 

Constitution Hill Betting Specials

Will Constitution Win At Southwell?

The star hurdler won 10 races in a row between December 2021 and January 2025 including two Cheltenham Festival triumphs. However, three falls and a fifth of sixth from his last four runs have Constitution Hill backers reeling. On the safer surface on the flat, surely he will put on a show for punters watching along on the best betting apps?

He started out as the odds-on favourite for the race but has been drifting since. That said, there’s got to be some more value to be had backing the winning lengths markets. If you fancy a convincing win for Michael Buckley’s runner, something like 15/2 to win by three lengths or more with bet365 could appeal.

Can Constitution Hill Do The Big Southwell And Cheltenham Double?

It’s maybe not the double that people go to first when thinking of big horse racing doubles in the same season. But considering this is a tune up for Cheltenham, it’s fair to wonder whether Constitution Hill can with both on Friday and reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown.

While some might question the wisdom of getting a horse struggling over hurdles ready for some hurdles by racing on the flat, if it works, Nicky Henderson will look like some kind of genius. William Hill is offering the winning double at 8/1, while you could want more of a layup and go for a win Friday and Constitution Hill just to run in the Champion Hurdle at 9/4 with Coral.

Or maybe this will be a tune up as in just miles in the legs, and he won’t win Friday but still wins in the big one at the Festival. That can be punted at 11/4 with Coral too.

About the Author

Mark Fordham

More About Mark

Mark spent over a decade as a sports reporter and editor with Goal.com and Bleacher Report. He is now a Content Editor at Bookies.com covering all manner of sports from the Premier League and cricket to the NBA and NFL, and is our resident EPL tipster. Mark also has years of experience working with all things online casino, and knows a good one from a bad one.

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