Game on! Big names all confirmed for Fighting Fifth

All eyes will be on Newcastle on Saturday, after all the big names stood their ground for what promises to be an enthralling BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Having failed to make it to the north east 12 months ago, Constitution Hill is back to try to recapture the race he won in 2022 en route to his domination of the hurdling scene.

He may have slipped from his lofty perch after falls at Cheltenham and Aintree and then disappointing at Punchestown, but Nicky Henderson is insistent his star performer is in the perfect spot to serve a timely reminder of his prowess, as he faces off against some young pretenders eager to snatch his crown.

One of those is Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, who brushed aside the talented Final Demand to remain unbeaten at the Cheltenham Festival in March and is now set to take the leap into open company already at the the head of the betting for this season’s Champion Hurdle.

Willie Mullins’ Anzadam is also yet to taste defeat and adds further spice to the mix, with Paul Townend making the journey to Gosforth Park to do the steering.

Reigning Champion Hurdler Golden Ace will bid to bounce back from a disappointing return at Wetherby for Jeremy Scott, with Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion completing the line-up having been supplemented into the race on Monday.