Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2011

2.20 Newcastle

StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £58,521

Advice: 1 pt win Binocular (11/10 Hills)

Binocular: 2010 Champion Hurdle winner who never reached peak when it mattered last year after impressive Christmas Hurdle win; Would win this impressively at best and may not need to run to peak to do so (beaten by two better hurdlers in this last year); The one to beat.

Celestial Halo: High class hurdler (second and fourth in Champion Hurdles) who lost confidence after chasing didn’t work out for him; Appeared to have lost a step over hurdles despite strong showing in pair of Grade 2 hurdles last year and should also have come on for his fortunate win in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton; Can go a good gallop and hard to pass but others preffered.

Kosta Brava: Hard to see him getting within a furlong of the front three.

Overturn: Game front runner who made a real name for himself in graded company over hurdles last season, coming second in Christmas Hurdle after winning Galway Hurdle; Handicap mark caught upto him on flat but impressive when winning limited handicap hurdle with plenty to spare from General Miller and deserved winner of Ascot Hurdle (left infront after main rival fell at last); Big chance here.

Stormy Weather: Surely won’t be up to this class.

VERDICT: For the last two years BINOCULAR has been well below par when running in this, and with the consistent and solid Overturn and Celestial Halo on their side, the layers must fancy their chances. However Binocular still has at least 4lbs in hand of Overturn based on his Christmas Hurdle form, while Celestial Halo isn’t as tempting as he would have been two years ago in this. The intial value – he was once as big as 7/4 – has gone from Nicky Henderson’s charge, but he’s still the most persuasive call.