The BetMGM Fighting Fight Hurdle will have its biggest field since 2006 as nine horses go to post for the Grade 1 feature race at Newcastle on Saturday, which is due of at 2:10pm.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Sir Gino marked himself out as a potential star last season when running away with the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in April. Sir Gino had been set to go chasing this season, but has switched back to hurdles following the withdrawal of stablemate Constitution Hill, and is the 11/10 favourite with sponsors BetMGM.
No trainer has won this race more times than Nicky Henderson, who will be seeking a record-extending ninth victory.
The BetMGM Fighting Fifth is one of very few Grade 1 races Champion Trainer Willie Mullins is yet to win, but that could change on Saturday with last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up, Mystical Power, hoping to win a third Grade 1 of his career to date. Having finished second at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the JP McManus owned five-year-old finished last season strongly, winning successive races at Aintree and Punchestown.
The Harry Derham-trained Brentford Hope has gone up 34lbs since winning his first race over hurdles in March 2023 and is a course winner at Gosforth Park. The seven-year-old has the benefit of race fitness on his side but must prove himself at this level.
Another with the benefit of a run under his belt this season is Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Lump Sum. The form of his win in that race was boosted on Saturday when runner-up Steely Ally won at Haydock’s Betfair Chase meeting on his next start.
Tellherthename will be having his first run since finishing down the field in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. It will also be the first time he has run for new trainers, Jonjo and AJ O’Neil, having switched from the Ben Pauling stable over the summer.
Kihavah enjoyed a busy summer on the flat for trainer Adrian Keatley and was only beaten two lengths when finishing second in the Ebor Handicap at York in August. The seven-year-old finished second behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud in a Listed race at Kempton over hurdles in October.
Colonel Mustard ran at Ascot last Saturday, finishing third behind Lucky Place in the Grade 2 Howden Ascot Hurdle for trainer Lorna Fowler.
Takenochances won a Listed mares’ hurdle at Weatherby at the beginning of this month for Dan Skelton, whilst Benson finished fourth at Hexham on his seasonal reappearance.
Clerk of the Course at Newcastle, Jane Hedley, said:
“Following watering and 7mm of rain we are Good ground with a going stick reading of 7.0. Our outlook is largely dry with bright spells and temperatures remaining above freezing.
“We are delighted with the fields declared for Saturday. The feature BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle looks to be a really competitive renewal and we are looking forward to welcoming a strong crowd to Gosforth Park”
