Our blonde bodyguard Gary Nutting gives his verdict on the resumption of Saturday’s biggest race of the campaign in Newcastle, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, live on Sky Sports Racing.
The 1970s proved to be a vintage period for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle thanks to three-time winners Comedy of Errors and Bird’s Nest, with legends Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon also on the roll of honour.
Nicky Henderson, who rides unbeaten four-year-old Sir Gino, is the race’s most successful trainer with eight wins, most recently with Constitution Hill two seasons ago.
1. BENSON
Jockey: R Mania |: Coach: AM Thomson
His success in the Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day brought him a career high at nine, but is still the lowest in the series, and a triple figure looks to sum up his chances.
2. BRENTFORD HOPE
Not a runner
Irish raider Colonel Mustard
3. Colonel Mustard
A Wedge | L Fowler
Lots of smart form to his name, including in rated company, but he’ll be just 10 in a month and his only wins in a 23-race career have come in the 2020 Bumper and First Hurdle. next year.
4. boiling candle
S Bowen |: And Keithley
A talented dual-purpose performer (101st on the Flat after his Ebor was second in the Ayr Gold Cup Festival) who was easily held back by the fined Roubaud in the Listed Hurdle at Kempton last month in favour, but faces an uphill task at the level weights in this elite company given he had to settle for second place this summer finishing from 127th with a Market Rasen handicap.
Lump sum wins at Kempton
5. PRIVATE AMOUNT
D Johnston |: S. Thomas
Boasting four wins and a second over hurdles from just six starts, his short-priced reappearance at Ffos Lass’ form was boosted when runner-up/stable Steele Alley came in with a strong handicap at Haydock last weekend and jumps), is clearly advanced and race-fit compared to the two market leaders.
6. MYSTICAL POWER
Rep. Walsh |: WP Mullins
Bred to champion this field and live up to expectations despite being too good for himself in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Then made up for that honorable defeat with Grade One victories at Aintree and Punchestown, making him the highest-rated runner here.
Mystical Power and Mark Walsh on their way to winning the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle
7. DEAR GINO
Boyneville Hv |: NJ Henderson
An unblemished record from his only start in France, he has not been hard pressed in three starts this side of the channel, the last of which was the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.Only 2lb can be found in the official ratings with Mystical Power, although he is a rare four in this event. would be an annual winner.
8. TELLHERTHENAME
C Woods |: J & AJ O’Neill
A progressive rookie for a yard last season and a long journey on ground that may have been softer than ideal when last of 10 finishers in the Supreme (less than 14 lengths behind Mystic Force), it’s interesting that his new trainer turned him down this weekend is handicap access to aim for the stars.
9. DON’T BE HURT FOR GRACE
CJ Todd | D Skelton
A consistent, improved mare who had her first success outside novice/handicap company when guiding her gender-restricted Listed field at Wetherby four weeks ago, this will be tougher on the boys but a 7lb allowance brings her into the equation.
GARY NUTTING’S VERDICT
MYSTICAL POWER and Sir Gino are shoulders above the rest in the official ratings, with Willie Mullins running this race as a possible resumption point for the five-year-old after his win at Punchestown, and he probably learned more in his rookie campaign than Sir Gino, pulling aside a friend. to the minors.Colonel Mustard is next in line for the ORs, but the Lump Sum, Tellherthename and Take No Chances all have the potential to improve ahead of him.If it turns into more of a flat race on ground, Kihavan could surpass his odds.
