*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Constitution Hill is finally set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The Champion Hurdle antepost favourite – scratched from last weekend’s engagement at Ascot on account of the drying ground – will take on stablemate Epatante in Saturday’s 14:10.
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It will be a proper test of Constitution Hill’s credentials as Epatante has won the last two renewals of the Fighting Fifth, including last year’s dead-heat with Not So Sleepy, and landed the Champion Hurdle in 2020.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise a horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips are below.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle runners
Constitution Hill
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Exceptional novice hurdler, easy winner of first 2 starts at Sandown (latterly the Tolworth) prior to a devastating success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in breath-taking fashion by 22 lengths from Jonbon. Fantastic prospect who is taken to readily land the odds on his return.
*****
Not So Sleepy
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Better than ever when dead-heating with Epatante in this corresponding event 12 months ago. Not in anything like the same form in the Christmas Hurdle but ran close to his best when sixth in the Champion Hurdle. Has warmed up for this with a good third in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket.
***
Tommy’s Oscar
Trainer: Ann Hamilton Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Progressed into a really smart hurdler last season prior to finding the Champion Hurdle a step too far. Has made a good start to chasing career too, coming out on top in a match at Carlisle before a good second in Cheltenham Grade 2, but faces a stiff task back over hurdles.
***
Voix Du Reve
Trainer: Iain Jardine Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart at best and cashed in on a falling mark over C&D in March. Shaped as if needing the run on comeback at Aintree but has it all to do on these terms.
*
Epatante
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Aidan Coleman Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Very smart hurdler who dead-heated with Not So Sleepy in this race a year ago before adding both the Christmas Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle to her tally either side of an excellent second in the Champion Hurdle. Seems sure to give her running but looks vulnerable to her up-and-coming stablemate.
****
Fighting Fifth Hurdle tips
Timeform: CONSTITUTION HILL put up a truly sensational performance in the Supreme when beating his stablemate Jonbon by 22 lengths in a ridiculously good time, earning himself Timeform’s highest ever rating for a novice hurdler, and he’s destined for the very top honours in open company. Stablemate Epatante, who gained 3 Grade 1 successes last season, including a dead-heat in this, and was also second in the Champion Hurdle, can follow him home.
Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s tips for Saturday’s ITV Racing
- Rory Delargy’s Newbury & Newcastle fancies on Saturday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s best bets for Saturday’s ITV Racing
- Ruby Walsh’s fine fancies for ITV Racing on Saturday
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