13.55
SoftBetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £64710.5
- 2m 0f 46y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 211P-4 D
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 |
25th Oct 2025 Good 2m 0f 51y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Last of his six wins over hurdles was off a 25lb higher mark at Musselburgh in January 2024 (2m4f, soft); mainly disappointing since then, including when tried over fences; best watched for now. |
14/1 |
|
9 |
14th Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
One-time very useful handicapper; nothing like as good these days and has finished last on last two starts, latest a four-runner C&D handicap last month; very well handicapped (dropped a further 4lb for his run last time so now 22lb below last winning mark); plenty to prove at present. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /1111- CD
Last run: 233 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 175
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (4) |
25th Mar 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 3f 219y Class 3 |
9st 12lb |
Superstar hurdler on his day and one of the best-known horses in training; having developed serious jumping issues, he was switched to the Flat in Southwell contest (1m4f) last month and showed his class by producing an impressive performance that is backed up by the figures; sets a tall standard en route to Group targets. |
1/6 |
|
1st 3 (12) |
20th Feb 2026 Standard 1m 4f 14y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Last jumps campaign started well but ended badly, as he took back-to-back falls at Cheltenham/Aintree and then laboured when he did complete at Punchestown; suffered another tumble on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth in November, which has prompted this switch to the Flat in the hope of restoring confidence levels ahead of a possible bid to regain the Champion Hurdle crown he won in 2023. |
7/4 |
|
5th 2 |
2nd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
towards rear, overjumped 1st, soon went fourth, headway after 4 out, went third going okay 3 out, nudged along when jumped left and lost ground 2 out, soon no extra |
11/10 |
Abandoned
Form: 5/355- CD
Last run: 263 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 (7) |
21st Sep 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 61y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
Magnificent veteran who has retained a rare zest, demonstrated last year with a front-running Flat win in this race (heavy; stays well) and a second triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle; creditable fourth in his two runs back on the Flat this term, the latest at Epsom on Derby day (1m4f; finished strongly); respected on that and any significant rain over the last day or so will probably help. |
14/1 |
|
4th 4 (2) |
1st Jun 2024 Good To Soft 1m 4f 6y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
12yo who has retained a rare zest, demonstrated last year with a front-running Flat win at Newbury (1m5f, heavy; stays well) and a second triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle; creditable fourth at Newbury (2m) on return to Flat six weeks ago, which he needs to build on; won at this meeting in 2017 and he is not one to pass over lightly seven years on. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /1126- D BF
Last run: 217 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 153
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
towards rear |
12/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
27th Jan 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Raced mainly on soft/heavy (withdrawn due to good ground once); smart mare whose record is 8-12 and who performed very well (first/second) at the last two Cheltenham Festivals; may be back on song with Sandown reappearance under her belt; has the best chance at the weights. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
9th Dec 2023 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Picked up a stress fracture at Punchestown (soundly beaten) when last seen but has made a full recovery; has a solid/progressive record (at 2m-2m5f) otherwise and career record is 8-11; ran well behind Honeysuckle in a strong Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (soft) two starts ago; 3-3 at Sandown, including a win on this card last year; remains of major interest. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 2115-1 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 3lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles. |
5/1 |
|
1 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles. |
5/1 |
|
4th 4 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 0f 33y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
raced in last, mistake 5th, mistake and struggling 7th, jumped left 3 out, never dangerous |
4/1 |
Verdict
He could have gone chasing but CONSTITUTION HILL sticks to hurdles, having been so brilliant in this sphere thus far and with the clear potential to be a multiple Champion Hurdle winner. Once again he’s well clear on the figures and, unless he takes an unexpected downturn, he should win a second Fighting Fifth. Productive mares Love Envoi and You Wear It Well are taken to fill the next two places, in that order.[Steve Boow]