Introduction
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong (2 miles and 190 yards, or 3,392 metres), and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. The race is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December. The total race purse is just over £115,000.
The Racecard
Previous Winners
Key trends of the last 10 races:
- Nicky Henderson has dominated this race of late, winning 5 of the runnings
- The favourite has won just 4 times
- 5 winners have had an RPR of at least 155, the other 5 having a rating of between 148 and 154
- 5 of the winners have had a speed rating of 130+, with the other 5 being rated below 120
- Age doesn’t appear to be a factor in this race, with a wide variety of different ages winning
The Breakdown
- ANZADAM
| Date | Track | Distance | Class/ Grade | Finishing Pos | Beaten By | Beaten Lengths | SP | Going |
| 26/01/25 | Naas | 2m | G3 | 1/3 | – | – | 1/10F | Soft to Heavy |
| 30/11/24 | Fairyhouse | 2m | G3 | 1/7 | – | – | 5/2 | Yielding |
| 16/10/23 | Campiegne | 2m 1f | – | 1/5 | – | – | 56/10 | Heavy |
Verdict: Unbeaten so far in his career, though lightly raced for a 5 year old. This his first race in the UK, it is a big step up in class compared to what he has faced previously, first attempt at a Grade 1. That being said he has shown nothing but class so far, and Willie Mullins will be wanting to see further improvement which could see him become the stable’s new star over 2 miles. The question here is whether such a great step up has come too soon, but the market would suggest this is not a concern. Could have a big say in this one if the potential is to be lived.
2. CONSTITUTION HILL
| Date | Track | Distance | Class/ Grade | Finishing Pos | Beaten By | Beaten Lengths | SP | Going |
| 02/05/25 | Punchestown | 2m | G1 | 5/6 | State Man | 27.25 | 8/13F | Yielding |
| 03/04/25 | Aintree | 2m | G1 | F/6 | Lossiemouth | N/A | 1/1F | Good to Soft |
| 11/03/25 | Cheltenham | 2m1/2f | G1 | F/7 | Golden Ace | N/A | 1/2F | Good to Soft |
Verdict: The horse on everyone’s lips in this race, in what feels like a make or break season for this once superstar. No doubt he had the world at his feet and potential to go down as one of the best ever, before health complications stopped him in his tracks. Since then, he has seemingly forgotten how to jump, as seen in the form figures in the table above. If – and it’s a big if – he can find his best, he will not be beaten. Previous winner of this race in 2022 – winning easy as you like. The news from trainer Nicky Henderson has been nothing but positive, which has led to him being backed into favourite at the time of writing this. Too short to back given his form in the spring, but if anyone can bring him back to his best, it’s Henderson.
3. NEMEAN LION
| Date | Track | Distance | Class/ Grade | Finishing Pos | Beaten By | Beaten Lengths | SP | Going |
| 13/03/25 | Cheltenham | 3m | G1 | PU/13 | Bob Olinger | N/A | 16/1 | Good to Soft |
| 23/02/25 | Fontwell | 2m 3f | G2 | 1/5 | – | – | 2/1 | Soft |
| 17/01/25 | Windsor | 2m 4f | C2 | 1/5 | – | – | 85/40F | Soft |
Verdict: A late supplement for this race at a cost of £2,430, which is guaranteed to be made back in prize money even if he finishes last. Connections will certainly be hoping for more than expecting a good result here, would be a shock if he finished in the top 3. Has won multiple Grade 2s, but all over longer distances where he seems much more suited. Likely to be outpaced here.
4. THE NEW LION
| Date | Track | Distance | Class/ Grade | Finishing Pos | Beaten By | Beaten Lengths | SP | Going |
| 12/03/25 | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | G1 | 1/11 | – | – | 3/1 | Good to Soft |
| 28/12/24 | Newbury | 2m 4.5f | G1 | 1/7 | – | – | 9/4 | Good to Soft |
| 30/11/24 | Newbury | 2m 3.5f | C3 | 1/6 | – | – | 4/6F | Good to Soft |
Verdict: The safe bet on paper, as the class at this level is proven unlike Anzadam, and his form in the spring was top notch unlike Constitution Hill. Like Anzadam, also unbeaten in his career so far over 5 starts. He has come on with every run out and looks to have all the makings of a real superstar, backed up by the purchase by JP McManus at the start of this year, for a rumoured £1 million. He is taking a step back in trip having been increasing in trip with each race last season, but this is unlikely to be an issue. The most serious contender in the field.
5. GOLDEN ACE
| Date | Track | Distance | Class/ Grade | Finishing Pos | Beaten By | Beaten Lengths | SP | Going |
| 01/11/25 | Wetherby | 2m | C1 | 2/2 | Kateira | 28 | 4/11F | Good |
| 02/05/25 | Punchestown | 2m | G1 | 2/6 | State Man | 4.75 | 14/1 | Yielding |
| 11/03/25 | Cheltenham | 2m1/2f | G1 | 1/7 | – | – | 25/1 | Good to Soft |
Verdict: Shock winner of a dramatic Champion Hurdle in March, and a sloid run after that at Punchestown when he was beaten by State Man who was able to stay upright this time around, but a very disappointing reappearance at Wetherby earlier this month when well beaten as a massive odds on favourite. Her best chance here is if things fall (literally) in her favour again like they did at the Cheltenham Festival, she looks vulnerable to the top 3 in the market.
Conclusion
If Constitution Hill can return to his best, he will run away with it, simple as that. However, now 8-years-old he’s not getting any younger, and if his jumping habits of last season have stuck it will be a miracle to see him cross the finishing line with Nico still in the saddle. Anzadam is an interesting contender, if he is capable of what is being spoken about he could well be within a chance. The New Lion has proven class, though, and if he can continue improving he will be hard to beat. Golden Ace needs luck similar to that in the Champion Hurdle, and Nemean Lion has been supplemented out of hope rather than expectation.