Fighting Fifth Hurdle Tips, Odds & Runners 2027

A starting point for so many British-trained Champion Hurdle contenders, the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is the only top tier race at Newcastle over jumps. Here, our tipsters give their best bets for the race, while we also preview the runners and odds.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Tips

The first 2m Grade 1 of the hurdling campaign in Great Britain, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle often hosts a modern great, with the likes of Constitution Hill, Epatante and Buveur D’Air all Champion Hurdlers who have won this on their way to Cheltenham in the past decade. With intrigue clouding a number of runners this season, here is who our tipsters believe will win the race.

Tips to follow

Who are the Top Three Favourites to Win this Year’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle?

Some of the sport’s training powerhouses are set to unleash the stars among their ranks in the 2025 Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Here are the three market leaders with the race upcoming.

The New Lion

There has been near total domination from Irish yards at Cheltenham Festival novice hurdles over the years, making The New Lion‘s success all the more special for Dan Skelton. The six-year-old is unbeaten in five career starts, battling to victory from The Yellow Clay in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle back in March.

He had previously claimed a Grade 1 already when cantering to success in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury. Having only raced at 2m4f, the main question he will have to answer is whether he can adapt back down to 2m, but he showed a superb turn of foot when required last season and will be a horse plenty will have to aim at.

Constitution Hill

Rarely do horses become superstars before they are enigmas, but that is what has happened to Constitution Hill since the beginning of last season. He missed the 2024 Cheltenham Festival after having brilliantly won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Champion Hurdle for the two seasons prior, but returned for a full campaign in 2024/25.

However, things went awry, as after landing the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the International Hurdle on Trials’ Day at Cheltenham, he fell in the Champion Hurdle and Aintree Hurdles before finally being beaten when standing up at Punchestown. He was a shadow of himself that day, but the eight-year-old remains in training, suggesting Nicky Henderson believes he can get back to his best.

Anzadam

Also unbeaten is the Willie Mullins-trained Anzadam, who comes into this season as the wildcard in the 2m hurdling division. Two wins out of two in France have swiftly been followed by the same record for Mullins, though in much stronger races, claiming a Grade 3 for four-year-olds on his stable debut, then an open race of the level at odds of 1/10.

An injury kept him out of the Cheltenham Festival, but there is no doubt he is an unusually talented horse. A free run at this season could ensure he is one of the top performers over this distance and it would be no surprise if he had the ability to feature in this Grade 1 on his first start of the season.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Odds

Last Year’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle Odds

The still unbeaten Sir Gino was miles too good for his rivals last season, scoring as the 6/5 joint favourite.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Racecourse 

Newcastle’s track often rides testing at this time of the year, so the Fighting Fifth Hurdle can suit a horse who excels on soft ground, or who has a bit of extra stamina. It is a gently undulating and turning course, so track position off the rail is not crucial. Nevertheless, a good track position can be handy, with front-runners often able to pinch a better finish than they otherwise might.

Are There Any Specific Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Offers?

As with any Grade 1 National Hunt race, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle will have extra places or price boost offers attributed to it on the day of the contest. These will be available throughout GG once the race approaches.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Trends & Historic Data

Five favourites have passed the post first in the last ten renewals, although some market leaders have been beaten at prohibitive prices, with 2/13, 6/5 and 5/4 favourites all losing in the Fighting Fifth within the past decade.

Usually, a race of this nature would give punters a better idea of the age demographic taken to win the race. However, the last two winners have been aged four and 11, while three six-year-old winners and a nine-year-old have also scored since 2014.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Horse Entries & Selections

The only criteria to meet an entry for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle is that a horse is aged four or above. Otherwise, any horse of any experience or ability can be declared if connections wish, while fillies and mares get their traditional 7lb allowance in the race.

Which Trainers Have Historically Had the Most Success in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle?

Nicky Henderson has been comfortably the best trainer to follow in recent years. He has five wins since 2017 alone, adding to three beforehand to make him the winning-most trainer in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle’s history.

There has been less success for Irish trainers, albeit there have not been too many contenders. Henry De Bromhead in 2015 was the last Irish handler to send across the winner.

Runners & Riders Past Winners

*2023 renewal was run at Sandown Park