Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is set to fly the flag for the Seven Barrows team in Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle, which takes place at Newcastle, and the star juvenile will lock horns with the Willie Mullins-trained Mystical Power, who was a fine runner-up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March
There have been 11 entries for the Grade 1 contest that will now be without Constitution Hill, who was found to be lame last week, and is now on the sidelines for more time, but in Sir Gino and Mystical Power you have two stars that will serve up an absolute thriller and will be both looking to propel themselves into the Champion Hurdle picture.
Harry Derham’s Brentford Hope is another eye-catching entry and the seven-year-old will have race fitness on his side and he was last seen finishing second to Rubaud in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton a few weeks ago. A fine third in the Triumph Hurdle back in the spring, Salver is another four-year-old set to take his chance in Saturday’s race and the Gary & Josh Moore-trained contender adds more depth to the race.
Nemean Lion was a solid yardstick for Kerry Lee last season and that raider, who may not be a top class performer, could look to ruffle some feathers at the weekend, while Lump Sum heads to the north east on the back of an excellent win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las, but this is a notable jump into Graded company.
Colonel Mustard is another that has been competing at a high level over hurdles, but struggles to get his head in front at the very top, while the likes of Kihavah, Tellherthename, Take No Chances and Benson complete the possible line-up.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2024 Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Benson | Sandy Thomson |
| 2 | Brentford Hope | Harry Derham |
| 3 | Colonel Mustard | Lorna Fowler |
| 4 | Kihavah | Adrian Keatley |
| 5 | Lump Sum | Sam Thomas |
| 6 | Mystical Power | Willie Mullins |
| 7 | Nemean Lion | Kerry Lee |
| 8 | Salver | Gary & Josh Moore |
| 9 | Sir Gino | Nicky Henderson |
| 10 | Take No Chances | Dan Skelton |
| 11 | Tellherthename | Jonjo & A J O’Neill |