Quality entries are all in with a Fighting chance
Nov 19 2010 The Journal
EXCITEMENT is building ahead of the highlight of Newcastle’s jumps season, the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle, next weekend.
The emphasis will be on quality hurdlers rather than quantity this year.
Binocular, the reigning champion hurdler, looks set to make his seasonal reappearance and will hopefully be supported by the respected Peddlers Cross and Starluck.
The locally-trained Orsippus looks likely to take his chance after running well against older horses last week at Cheltenham.
The stable of leading trainer Philip Hobbs could be represented by Nearby, who broke a track record at Wincanton earlier in the month.
Ashkazar and Afsoun both run this weekend along with the very promising Clerk’s Choice.
I suspect unless the ground cuts up dramatically at Ascot and Haydock they will take part in their weekend engagements.
If the ground stays dry we may well see Sublimity, a previous Champion Hurdle winner, trying to redeem himself after trailing in last at Punchestown last weekend.
Horses we are not likely to see line up include last week’s impressive Greatwood Hurdle winner Menorah.
Another unlikely contender is Donnas Palm who finished third to Solwhit in the same race as Sublimity at Punchestown.
It is also doubtful we will see Bygones of Brid on the race card.
He ran a very disappointing race in a novice chase at Hexham on Wednesday which left trainer Karen McClintock unable to explain his performance after starting out a very warm favourite before being pulled up.
Sanctuaire, who fell three hurdles out in The Greatwood Hurdle, may well bypass the Fighting Fifth and Marodima and Get Me Out of Here are also looking doubtful.
I am disappointed Hurricane Fly will not be coming as he would have been a major contender.
The latest antepost prices for the Fighting Fifth are: 5-6 Binocular; 3 Peddlers Cross; 7-2 Starluck; 12 Nearby; 16 Ashkazar; 16 Sublimity; and 20 Bar.
The course is now prepared and current going conditions are good to soft.
After moving rail and hurdle sites we have provided as much fresh ground as possible for the big day and are now looking forward to a start studded card.
After the Fighting Fifth we will not quite be putting our feet up for Christmas.
On December 18 we host our last meeting of 2010, the Northumberland Chase Christmas Raceday.
James Armstrong is clerk of the course at Newcastle Racecourse
