Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2012

2.20 Newcastle

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

Winner £58,521

Advice: 2 pts Trifolium w/o Cinders And Ashes (11/8 general)

Bothy: Useful horse in his own right (second in Coral Cup behind Calrito Brigante in 2011) and once again his usual tough as nails self when fourth in the Greatwood, but needs more than that to trouble three higher rated rivals who all have form on this ground; Those three preferred today.

Cinders And Ashes: Ended last year as the top novice hurdler after beating subsequent winner Darlan and reopposing Trifolium in Supreme Novices Hurdle, having previously completed impressive hat-trick on ground ranging from soft to heavy; That form makes him easily the one to beat here after field cut up at 5 day stage and worthy favourite.

Countrywide Flame: Made use of brutal test of stamina to win Triumph Hurdle going away after several had raced too close to strong pace/ran freely (form reverse at Aintree but ran with credit if anything) Run well on flat since (third in Cesarawitch) and this ground OK for him so has his chance too with added bonus of versatility to his name.

Trifoloium: Top quality novice last term, third in Supreme Novice Hurdle (behind Cinders And Ashes) despite slipping off bend after Grade 2 romp on heavy ground (Beaten at Punchestown Festival afterwards but lost no caste); Disappointing on return at Punchestown but not right (had ‘small breathing op since’) but that not his true self and if he’s back to his best (cheekpieces back on) then he must of interest here.

VERDICT: A small but select field, especially considering the ground condition (this was set to feature Darlan and Rock On Ruby).Considering his record of 111 on soft/heavy ground and his Supreme Novice Hurdle win over TRIFOLIUM, this looks to be a cracking opportunity for Cinders And Ashes to kickstart a titl at the Champion Hurdle and he’s very hard to oppose, for all that Charles Brynes’s runner wasn't that far away from him at Cheltenham and is even better on testing ground. A bad flop earlier this season may well have set him right (cheekpeices back on) and if back to his novice hurdling form, he can give the favourite a real run for his money, and looks a bet in the ‘without market’ at 11/8 to beat Bothy and Countrywide Flame, both of whom deserve respect.