The eagerly anticipated clash between former Unibet Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill and the unbeaten The New Lion took another step closer to being confirmed on Monday after The pair were among five horses left in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (G1) worth £115,000.
No trainer has won more renewals of this Grade 1 than Nicky Henderson whose Constitution Hill impressed in a racecourse gallop at Newbury last week. The 8-year-old delivered a jaw-dropping performance to win this in 2022.
Dan Skelton has made a sensational start to this season as he bids to finally land a first British Trainers Championship title. This has included winning the Betfair Chase last weekend with Grey Dawning. He has not been shy to admit how much he thinks of The New Lion, and this seasonal reappearance will be a true test of his Unibet Champion Hurdle credentials.
Willie Mullins has never won the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle before but will rely solely on the youngest horse in the line-up, Anzadam. The 5-year-old also boasts a 100% success-rate in his short career so far and looks to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.
It is incredible to think last season’s Unibet Champion Hurdler Golden Ace is one of the outsiders in this field, further highlighting the strength in depth on show in this Grade 1. She ran as though something was amiss on her seasonal debut but will aim to join the likes of Epatante in becoming one of few mares to have won a BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Nemean Lion has been supplemented for the race by Kerry Lee at a cost of £2,430. He was last seen being pulled-up in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (G1) at the Cheltenham Festival. Prior to that he had brought up a hat-trick of victories including in the National Spirit Hurdle (G2).
Brand Director at BetMGM, Dan Towse, said: "Saturday's BetMGM Fighting Fifth is shaping up to be an absolute corker, with all of the big three standing their ground.
"The New Lion might be the 11/8 favourite but all the money has been for Constitution Hill at 13/8, with reports suggesting he might be back to his best.
"Anzadam is the unknown quantity but, given he's trained by a certain Willie Mullins, he's got to be given a huge amount of respect at 11/4 — given I haven't even mentioned last year's Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace, it shows how strong a renewal this is shaping up to be."
The going is currently described as Good to Soft, Soft in places after 11mm of rain over the weekend.
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
