MORE DOORS OPEN & THE ONLY MEANINGFUL AINTREE NATIONAL TRIAL LEFT.

If Constitution Hill was a four-year-old with jumping issues, yesterday's impressive win at Southwell would have provided the owner and trainer with the answer they were looking for. As a four-year-old gelding, there would two or three seasons ahead of him running and winning on the flat, after which they might look to returning to hurdling. Also, as a four-year-old, it would not be beyond possibility that he would improve as he matured. But Constitution Hill is a nine-year-old and though he won with grace and ease last night, how much could he build on a bloodless victory on the all-weather in a novice at Southwell?

The big question, though, given he looked a speedy horse last night, is will he stay 2-miles on the flat? And how about the Ascot Gold Cup distance? Nicky Henderson, when running Constitution Hill on the flat was mooted when he had the hurdling division at his mercy, was of a negative opinion, suggesting the horse had too much speed to be stayer on the flat. Yesterday's race was 12-furlongs and he would have won at 10-furlongs, in a similar grade of company. But classy horses on the flat would have been quickening at the same time as Constitution Hill and it is always an extraordinary feat on the flat when old legs win out over younger legs. Think back to when the younger legs of Long Run were too strong for both Denman and Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There is a reason for chicken-hearted owners retiring their classic winners at 3 or 4.

On the evidence of last night, Constitution Hill will have little trouble winning races on the flat. Doors have opened wide that were only ajar before he kicked clear in the straight at Southwell. I will remind people that when the question was chasing or staying hurdling, Nicky Henderson was adamant that if the concensus was that Constitution Hill would not stay the Cheltenham Gold Cup distance, there would be no point going chasing. The consensus was that he would not have the stamina for the Gold Cup and the decision was made to stay hurdling. One of those doors that opened wide last night might have a doormat inscribed with the questions 'will he stay the Ascot Gold Cup distance? And does he have the speed to cut the mustard in the middle-distance division?

I asked myself the question the other day what I would do if I were in Nicky's shoes and my answer was that I would skip Cheltenham and find an uncompetitive hurdle somewhere, even if Michael Buckley had to sponsor a race, and attempt to give Constitution Hill a school round. If this suggestion is impractical, a privately organised schooling race somewhere might provide the data/evidence on which to base the judgement whether to concentrate on the flat or to continue over hurdles with Aintree and Punchestown in mind. Yesterday's result has not altered my opinion, though a few runs on the flat in the early months of summer would be worth considering.

What was obvious to me last night was that Constitution Hill was a happy horse. At the start, he showed no sign of being stressed by the new experience and in the race he was happy to do whatever Oisin asked of him, and in the winners enclosure he looked to be enjoying the adoration and fascination of everyone who were squeezed in around him and outside of the enclosure. As I said before, everyone must now respect the decision that Nicky makes on behalf of Constitution Hill and Michael Buckley and be grateful that neither you nor I are faced with a similar dilemma in our lives.

At Fairyhouse today, weather permitting, the only meaningful Aintree National trial is run. The Bobbyjo has been won by the two most recent Aintree Nationals winners in I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett. It is not a handicap, which is why so many Aintree National entries can run in the race. You might contend that the Cheltenham Festival will throw-up a likely National winner, especially the Ultima or National Hunt Chase. For next season's race I would agree but for this year and every year, the timing of the Bobbyjo is considered perfect by Irish trainers, especially Mr. Aintree National himself, Willie Mullins. Obviously he supplies half the field (I think it is less but I can't be bothered to look it up) with Paul Townend favouring Grangeclare West over Captain Cody and Lecky Watson. I am hoping fo, and half-expecting, a Gerry Colombe victory.

At Newcastle, what was considered a traditional Grand National trial but which is now just a 4-mile handicap, Mr. Vango attempts to get his season back on track after running poorly at Sandown last time out. Aparently, he suffered an abcess in a front hoof after the race, the reason, I hope, for his disappointing effort. Today, David Bass takes the ride, with, I dare say, his fingers crossed that come Aintree he will also be in the saddle. Mr. Vango represents the only hope for the little man or little woman in this case to win the race, which is exactly what Aintree needs and which they have gone to great lengths to prevent.