Constitution Hill’s debut appearance in a Flat race at Southwell on Friday night produced an ‘extraordinary’ rise in betting turnover, bookmakers reported on Saturday.

The former Champion Hurdle winner ventured into a new sphere with his jumping career at a crossroads after the once unbeatable star had taken three falls in his last four races over obstacles.

Trainer Nicky Henderson aimed the Michael Buckley-owned nine-year-old at the £40,000 SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes on the all-weather. The plan worked to perfection before a packed Friday Night Live crowd at the Rolleston course as 6-4 favourite Constitution Hill hit the front over a furlong out under Oisín Murphy before careering away to win by nine and a half lengths.

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“For him to go and do that was lovely,” said the Seven Barrows trainer. “It’s nice to be back with positive vibes.

“We’ve got tears of joy tonight but the last year or so has been pretty tough We’ve got lots to look forward to and we’ve got lots of decisions to make.

“There are all sorts of options - of course it includes the Champion Hurdle - and we have to think long and hard. It would be lovely to say, ‘We will do this.’ But I don’t think we can at this moment.”

While connections decide their next move, bookmakers have shortened the odds of Constitution Hill who is now 7-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle with William Hill.

The Southwell race, which drew a crowd in excess of 3,000, was also a hit with the bookmakers with Ladbrokes and Coral reporting a huge spike in turnover.

Simon Clare, Entain UK PR Director, said: “Betting turnover on last night’s Friday Night Live fixture at Southwell, and on Constitution Hill’s race in particular, was nothing short of extraordinary and worthy of celebration for all involved in the staging, what proved, box office viewing.

“The first Friday Night Live event at Newcastle was a fantastic betting success, but that was eclipsed by Southwell last night, which saw staking 30% higher again, and much of that increase was down to the presence of Jump racing’s biggest star

“Incredibly the betting turnover on Constitution Hill’s race was bigger than every single race staged in the UK over the last fortnight bar the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury two weeks’ ago.

“The betting on a 7.30pm Novice Stakes on a Friday night at Southwell turnover was equivalent to the feature race on a Saturday afternoon, demonstrating the immense value of ‘star-appeal’ in driving consumer interest and betting on the sport.

“If we were celebrating the betting performance of Friday Night Live’s launch at Newcastle a few weeks ago, then everyone involved should be on cloud nine after last night’s event which proved a staggering success with punters. Well done to ARC and SBK, and to ITV Racing, and of course to the connections of Constitution Hill.

“The Friday night slot on ITV combined with competitive racing action really does look a strong performer at this time of year, but the presence of Constitution Hill delivered a box office surge.”