Fighting Fifth Hurdle: The New Lion Heads Five Runners as Final Newcastle Entries Confirmed

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle runners 2025 will see only five entries for the Newcastle Grade One on Saturday.

With The New Lion heading the betting market in front of 2022 winner Constitution Hill and Anzadam – plus the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion has been supplemented.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Odds and Runners 2025

Note: Fighting Fifth Hurdle betting odds are subject to change and others on request

The New Lion Flying Flag For Red-Hot Dan Skelton Team 

Top racehorse owner JP McManus splashed the cash to buy The New Lion last season in a private deal and is now dreaming of winning a tenth Champion Hurdle.

However, before all that the six year-old will need to win (or at least run well) in Saturday’s Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle – which will be shown LIVE on ITV Racing at 2pm.

A race he’s propping up the betting with, when looking at the market.

The horse is also trained by Dan Skelton, who has started the season in red-hot form including taking last Saturday’s Betfair Chase with Grey Dawning.

The New Lion was last seen winning the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. With useful sorts The Yellow Clay and Final Demand in behind.

Ahead of Saturday’s race his Fighting Fifth Hurdle betting odds see him as second favourite at 7/4, while a win will also surely see his 2026 Champion Hurdle odds shorten from 9/2.

Only recent Morgiana Hurdle winner Lossiemouth is ahead of The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle market at the moment.

WATCH: The New Lion Winning The Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2025 

Nemean Lion Supplemented For Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle

There was some speculation that last year’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Sir Gino was going to be supplemented for the race.

However, this extra runner turned out to be the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion.

The mud-lover was supplemented for a fee of £2,430.

Which means, when looking at the prize money breakdown – he’s already made £600 (if he finishes last of five).

Nemean Lion was last seen being pulled up in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. But before that won three on the spin at Hereford, Windsor and Fontwell.

Any more rain will help his cause, as he’s a horse that improves for give in the ground.

But being rated 151 has a massive 19lbs to find with the 2022 winner Constitution Hill, so it would be a big ask to win.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Prize Money Breakdown

Constitution Hill and Anzadam Add To Small But Select Fighting Fifth Hurdle Runners

Despite bringing an unbeaten record to the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and being favourite, The New Lion certainly won’t have things all his own way.

There are only four other runners, but two of these are other big Champion Hurdle hopes this season – Constitution Hill and Anzadam.

Constitution Hill also won this race in 2022 and prior to last season was the most exciting two mile hurdler in training.

But having fallen twice at Aintree and Cheltenham, plus being well beaten at Punchestown in May – he’s on a big recovery mission.

On a plus, he’s still only eight and has pleased in a recent racecourse gallop at Newbury.

However, is back taking on two ‘new kids on the block’ in this division.

As not only will he face The New Lion, but also another potential Willie Mullins star in the making – Anzadam.

He was due to run in last weekend’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. But has been switched here as the Donnelly’s look to follow up last year’s win with Sir Gino.

Anzadam is also another unbeaten hurdler (four-from-four), but has also had a few setbacks.

The five year-old was last seen winning back in January in the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas – but was forced to miss the big Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals.

He’ll also be looking to give Willie Mullins his first ever Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner.

Paul Townend is also coming over to ride Anzadam.

WATCH: Constitution Hill Winning The 2022 Fighting Fifth Hurdle 

WATCH: Anzadam Winning The The Limestone Lad Hurdle At Naas In January 

Champion Hurdle Hero Golden Ace Looking To Bounce Back From Poor Return Run 

The last of the 2025 Fighting Fifth Hurdle runners will be Golden Ace – last season’s fortunate Champion Hurdle winner.

As the only mare in the race Golden Ace will also get a handy 7lbs sex allowance from the rest.

She took advantage of the falls of both Constitution Hill and State Man in last season’s day one Cheltenham Festival feature – winning at 25/1.

But was well beaten on her first run back this season at Wetherby. When not looking fit in a two-horse race with Kateira.

She can be expected to have come on for that run.

However, still have a fair bit to find on these terms with the main three players in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle betting odds market.

WATCH: Golden Ace Winning the 2025 Champion Hurdle 

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Race Details 2025

📅Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
⌚Time: 2:00pm
🏇Racecourse: Newcastle
🔄Trip: 2m 1f
💷Winning Purse: £65,493
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV

Fighting Fifth Hurdle Winners (Last Five Runnings)

WATCH: Sir Gino Winning The 2024 Fighting Fifth Hurdle