Constitution Hill is set to face stablemate Shishkin after being declared for the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown.
Trainer Nicky Henderson questioned the superstar’s participation after last weekend’s race at Newcastle was abandoned due to the weather, but he is given the chance to retain his Grade 1 title despite the Christmas Hurdle taking place in just 17 days.
Shishkin, meanwhile, is sent over the smaller obstacles for the first time since landing the 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as a prep for the King George VI Chase after refusing to race at Ascot and last weekend’s Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle was scrapped.
Harry Fry’s Love Envoi is likely to be Constitution Hill’s principal rival as she is unbeaten in three outings at Sandown and will relish the testing conditions.
You Wear It Well is the other mare in the field but this will be the stiffest test to date for last season’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle heroine. The enigmatic Goshen and veteran winner of the 2020 renewal, Not So Sleepy, complete the field for Saturday’s 13:15.
The latest Fighting Fifth Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle verdict
Timeform: The magnificent CONSTITUTION HILL should have no problem landing this race for the second year running to take his record over hurdles to 8-8. Mares’ Hurdle runner-up Love Envoi goes well fresh and is the obvious pick for the forecast, though the selection’s stablemate Shishkin adds a layer of intrigue should he consent to jump off, with the headgear experiment quickly shelved.
*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
Fighting Fifth Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2023.
Constitution Hill
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
One of the best hurdlers seen for a very long time, 7-7 in this sphere, landing this race, the Christmas Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle in impressive style last season. Won his first 2 starts over this C&D and it will be some disappointment if he didn’t win this.
*****
Goshen
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Quirky sort but he’s very smart at his best and took the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last November. Below form in his bid to defend his crown in that corresponding event last month and is highly unlikely to be troubling the principles in this. Cheekpieces back on.
**
Not So Sleepy
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Having his fourth go in this (dead-heated with Epatante in 2021). Took strong hold when held in third behind Constitution Hill last year but arrives off a good spell on the Flat having won at Newbury and finished seventh in the Cesarewitch.
**
Shishkin
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Brilliant chaser on his day, landing Ascot Chase in February and proved his stamina for 3m+ when landing the Bowl at Aintree in April. Blotted his copybook when refusing to race in first-time cheekpieces (discarded) at Ascot 2 weeks ago. Back hurdling and needs to be treated with some caution now.
***
Love Envoi
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 7 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Very smart hurdler with a good record fresh, winning her first 2 starts at Sandown last season before running a mighty race in second behind Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Best excused subsequent effort and she’s the clear pick for the forecast on these terms.
****
You Wear It Well
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Really likeable mare who won 4 of her first 5 starts over hurdles, the highlight being the Grade 2 Dawn Run at Cheltenham, and made all in good style on return at Wetherby 5 weeks ago. Needs to find another significant chunk of improvement but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
***
Horse Racing tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday at Aintree & Sandown
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Saturday ITV Racing tips at Aintree & Sandown
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Aintree & Sandown on Saturday
- Becher Chase tips and runner-by-runner guide to Aintree 2.05 on Saturday
- Tingle Creek tips and runner-by-runner guide to Sandown 3.00 on Saturday
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