Hollie Doyle hoping Constitution hype can have knock-on effect

Hollie Doyle has called for the boosted hype and prize-money at events such as Constitution Hill’s Flat debut on Friday’s card at Southwell to become more regular.

Doyle, who will return from riding in the Middle East to partner Dan Skelton’s Gambino in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes, is thrilled by the atmosphere created by the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero’s appearance, with the country’s top jockeys such as herself, Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy descending on the Nottinghamshire all-weather track.

“I’ve seen all the social media and stuff, and it’s great. Constitution Hill is running at Southwell,” she told the Press Association.

“Hopefully it can attract more people to go to racing on that day, obviously they’ve put prize-money on in particular for the meeting. We all want better prize-money and hopefully it can become a more regular thing, not just a one-off.

“We’ve been trying to get as many rides as we can and I’ve only got two because everyone is there!

“Money talks really. If you put on the right amount, you are going to attract the people you want to attract, the right crowd, creating a bit of hype. At this time of year, money talks and a lot of people are in the Middle East quite a lot and abroad.

“It just happens to be a one-off day at Southwell where there’s a novice and you have the likes of Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy going there, it says it all really.”

Constitution Hill is joined at the head of the market by Amo Racing-owned Dundalk winner Square Necker, who will make his stable debut for Kevin Philippart De Foy.

“It was always the plan to run in this race and we’re delighted they moved it back a week and increased the prize-money,” said the Newmarket handler.

“The horse is in good form, he has to carry a penalty in a novice race that will be competitive enough, but he’s been training well and we’re happy with him.

“His form of his race in Ireland looks good as the second had decent form (Nuit, rated 93) and he won well that day, carrying a bit of extra weight.

“Hopefully he can transfer his form to Southwell on Friday. It’s quite interesting of course, we’re excited and looking forward to it.”

Tripoli Flyer, who has Cheltenham Festival entries, has all-weather credentials following his Winter Million bumper victory at Lingfield in January 2024 for trainer Fergal O’Brien.

“I’m looking forward to the whole night really, I know the race has attracted a lot of interest,” O’Brien said.

“It’s obviously a great thing for the sport that people are talking about it and it’s generating a lot of interest. It’s fantastic.

“Any bit of publicity, whatever way it is, is great and I think fair play to the people who got it on and backed it.

“We thought we’d enjoy Tripoli Flyer for this season, he’s won a few quid this season already so let’s roll the dice at Southwell.

“I hoping he can run well on Friday night and that will set him up nicely to give us a day out at Cheltenham.”