Thursday 27th November 2025 – After months of build-up, the much-awaited clash between Constitution Hill and The New Lion was confirmed on Thursday morning after the pair were among five declarations for the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (G1) worth over £115,000.
Despite the small field, this is not just a two-horse race, with the likes of the unbeaten Anzadam, reigning Champion Hurdler Golden Ace and graded performer Nemean Lion completing the lineup.
Constitution Hill has attracted support in the market throughout the week, and is now clear favourite for the race with most firms. He hasn’t been seen since running below-par at the Punchestown Festival but was scintillating in this race in 2022, and is 11lbs superior to his rivals on official ratings. He aims to join the likes of fellow Seven Barrows heroes Epatante and Buveur d’Air in winning multiple renewals of this contest.
The New Lion is one of two unbeaten runners in this contest, and his trainer Dan Skelton has enjoyed a dream start to this 2025/26 campaign in his quest to finally land a first British trainers title. The JP McManus-owned 6-year-old will drop back to 2m for the first time since he won a bumper on debut in April 2024.
Anzadam is the youngest runner in this and also boasts a 100% record for Willie Mullins. He is very much an unknown quantity as he dips his hoof into Grade 1 company for the first time but has looked well above average in his short career to date.
It speaks volumes about the depth of this year’s BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle that Golden Ace is one of the outsiders of the field. She needs to bounce back from an underwhelming seasonal return but had looked extremely reliable prior to that and is a dual Cheltenham Festival winner.
Nemean Lion completes the field as he makes his first start since he was pulled up in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
Latest BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle Odds: Constitution Hill 11/8f, The New Lion 6/4, Anzadam 11/4, Golden Ace 22/1, Nemean Lion 80/1
The Skelton yard are also well represented in the BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase with Deafening Silence set to make his seasonal return. He will be joined by the likes of Tom Lacey’s course-and-distance winner Cruz Control in an eight-strong field.
Brand Director at BetMGM, Dan Towse, said: "The money continues to pour in for Constitution Hill and he's now usurped The New Lion as the favourite for the BetMGM Fighting Fifth.
"Nicky Henderson's runner is now 11/8, with The New Lion out to 6/4 and Anzadam solid at 11/4 with Paul Townend confirmed to be riding.
"Golden Ace at 22/1 and Nemean Lion at 80/1 complete the field in what looks an absolute belter of a Grade One.”
Clerk of The Course at Newcastle, Jane Hedley, said: “As of this morning, the going at Newcastle is Good to Soft, reading 6.7 on the GoingStick. We have rails set to the innermost lines to offer fresh ground for Saturday, with the weather looking overcast and mild today, and brighter spells and possible blustery showers tomorrow.”
She continued: “There is an increasing chance of rain through Saturday, with showers currently forecast for late morning, set to continue throughout the afternoon.”
The going is currently described as Good to Soft.
The first race on the card is scheduled to take place before midday at 11:42am, with the seven-race card drawing to a close at 3:15pm. The BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle is due off at 2:00pm.
For more information, or to buy tickets, please visit www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
Latest betting with BetMGM
The New Lion 11/8f, Constitution Hill 13/8, Anzadam 11/4, Golden Ace 20/1, Nemean Lion 50/1
