14:10 Newcastle

Saturday 30 November 2024

All11:5312:2813:0313:3514:1014:4515:20

BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 47.21s

Benson^t,p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 134| D

200/1

Gained sixth win over hurdles at Musselburgh on New Year's Day but ended last season on a downer and started this campaign with a low-key display over fences.

Form: 4000-P4

Kihavah^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: A Keatley| OR: 136| CD

25/1

Likeable sort who was runner-up in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen in July. Also found just one to good on the level in the Ebor at York before landing a 13f Ayr handicap. Didn't do much wrong when chasing home Rubaud (winner again since) back hurdling at Kempton last time but this is a big ask.

Form: P34/1-22

Lump Sum⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 143| D

11/1

Useful novice hurdler last season, including a win in the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m, soft) in February. Put in his place behind Mystical Power at Aintree on final start of that campaign but looked good when landing a Ffos Las handicap on return last month. Not without each-way hope.

Form: 11215-1

Mystical Power^h²¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| D

6/5

Quickly made up into a top-drawer novice last season, suffering sole defeat when runner-up in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Successful in Grade 1s at the big Aintree and Punchestown meetings since, displaying a very good attitude on both occasions. Major player.

Form: 111211-

Sir Gino²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| D

6/5

French recruit who was most impressive in winning all 3 starts in Britain last term. Withdrawn from the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March (stable was under a cloud at that time) but back with a bang when landing an Aintree Grade 1 the following month. Obvious claims.

Form: 1/111-

Tellherthename²⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135| D

18/1

Point winner who showed plenty of promise switched to hurdles for Ben Pauling last season, winning twice. However, he was put firmly in his place when down the field in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival on latest start in March and big step forward needed on this return/yard debut,

Form: 1/21P10-

Take No Chances²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

20/1

Won twice during the spring and back from a break with a fine third in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f, good to soft). Subsequently bolted up back at 2m in mares' listed race at Wetherby, which represented a clear career-best. Good deal more needed if she's to win this but live each-way chance.

Form: 21-1431

Non-Runners

Brentford Hope²¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: Harry Derham J: Non Runner

Colonel Mustard⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: L Fowler J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Sir Gino (6/5), Mystical Power (6/5), Brentford Hope (8/1), Lump Sum (11/1), Tellherthename (18/1), Take No Chances (20/1), Kihavah (25/1), Colonel Mustard (33/1), Benson (200/1)

Despite Constitution Hill's absence, this prize still looks destined for the Nicky Henderson yard with SIR GINO taken to maintain his unbeaten record. Indeed, he could be something of a star himself judged on his exploits last term, which included an impressive performance in the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Irish-raider Mystical Power, also a Grade 1 winner at the Grand National meeting, will ensure that this is a proper test for Sir Gino, while the mare Take No Chances makes each-way appeal.