Structure Hill may have his prep run for the Champion Hurdle in a brand new £40,000 mile-and-a-half novice contest on the Flat at Southwell on February 20.
The previous champion has been in limbo since falling for the third time in 4 outings on his return to motion within the Combating Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November.
Coach Nicky Henderson has been eager to given him a confidence-boosting run on the Flat however was struggling to discover a appropriate possibility.
On Monday, Henderson revealed to Sky Sports activities Racing {that a} ‘plan was afoot’, hinting {that a} fixture re-jig might be on the playing cards.
A brand new race has now been added to the cardboard which is a part of the Friday Night time Stay collection, assembly the factors required for Structure Hill to run. Will probably be the joint most precious novice ever run on the all-weather and might be sponsored by SBK bookmakers.
Sam Cone, head of communications and public affairs at Enviornment Racing Firm, house owners of Southwell, mentioned: “We’re delighted to help within the supply of this chance and are grateful to SBK, with out whom it might not be potential.
“The race should certainly add an extra dimension to the Friday Night Live fixture at Southwell on February 20, to those coming along to experience the evening in person as well as those watching at home on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.”
Adam Baylis, advertising director of SBK mentioned: “Supporting British racing is massively important to us at SBK, so when Nicky Henderson spoke about the need for a Flat race with these conditions for Constitution Hill, we took the idea to ARC. We’re delighted to have been able to help make it happen and it’s a great boost to the Friday Night Live series.”