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

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 1.03s

Anzadam^h³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| D

11/4

Unbeaten in 4 hurdles, including easily in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse and Naas last winter on his first 2 starts for Willie Mullins. In deep on reappearance but he could be out of the top drawer.

Form: 11/11-

Constitution Hill²¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170| BF| C| D

6/4

Exceptional winner of first 10 starts over hurdles (including 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham) but arrives here with a point to prove having suffered falls in last season's Champion and Aintree Hurdles and run no sort of race at Punchestown in May.

Form: 1/11FF5-

Nemean Lion^t1²⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 151

40/1

Likeable sort who landed a second Grade 2 hurdle success of his career in the National Spirit at Fontwell in February. Pulled up in Stayers' at Cheltenham on final start. Tongue tied first time on return. Up against it in this company.

Form: 7/2111P-

The New Lion²⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 159| D

15/8

Unbeaten in 5 starts and particularly impressive when seeing off The Yellow Clay in Baring Bingham at Cheltenham (21f, good to soft) in March. Travels like one who should prove at least as effective at 2m. Hugely exciting prospect.

Form: 1/1111-

Golden Ace²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 152| BF| D

22/1

Scaled new heights when landing the Champion Hurdle at last season's Festival, albeit held until State Man fell at the last and that rival was duly too strong for her at Punchestown later in the spring. Said to have scoped dirty when beaten 28 lengths by Kateira in match at Wetherby on return.

Form: 43112-2

Forecasts

Constitution Hill (6/4), The New Lion (15/8), Anzadam (11/4), Golden Ace (22/1), Nemean Lion (40/1)

THE NEW LION looks speedy enough to cope with a drop to 2m and is selected to remain unbeaten. Constitution Hill would obviously be a huge threat if still capable of anywhere near approaching his best form but there have to be doubts after the way last season ended and it could be that the main threat comes from the exciting Anzadam.