The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race run over 2 miles with nine hurdles to be jumped. The race is run annually in late November or early December at Newcastle Racecourse.
Seen as a key early season test for horses aiming for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the race has been won by some high-quality horses over the years, including Sea Pigeon, Harchibald, Buveur d’Air, and Constitution Hill.
Following the abandonment of Newcastle last weekend, the 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is now scheduled to be run at Sandown Parl on Saturday, December 9, and will be shown live on ITV Racing.
Six runners will head to post, including the Champion Hurdle winner and winner of this race last year, Constitution Hill, and stablemate Shishkin.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Offers
How To Get Free Bets For The 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
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And new players at BetMGM can grab £40 in free bets when they join and wager £10 on the horse racing action.
Free bet bonuses and betting offers change regularly, so make sure to check back in the build-up to the fighting Fifth Hurdle to see what’s on offer.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle Tips
Being the first Grade 1 hurdle of the season, the Fighting Fifth is a race that regularly sees a top-quality field of runners and is a race that punters enjoy betting on.
Our tipping expert, Alan Kelly, has taken a closer look at Saturday’s Fighting Fifth and you can see his views and tip for the big race via his link below.
Fighting Fifth Hurdle Betting Tips & Stats Guide
Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!
What Happened Last Year?
The 2022 Fighting Fifth was won by Constitution Hill, ridden by Nico de Boinville and trained by Nicky Henderson.
Sent off as the 1/4 favourite, Constitution Hill lived up to expectations with a stunning performance.
He jumped beautifully throughout the race and was always in control, running out a comfortable 12-length winner from Epatante in second, with Not So Sleepy in third.
Constitution Hill’s victory in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle was the first in a stunning season for the horse, with Grade 1 wins in the Christmas Hurdle, the Champion Hurdle, and the Aintree Hurdle to follow.
When & Where Is The 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle?
First established in 1969, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle is the first Grade 1 hurdle of the national hunt season and traditionally takes place in late November/early December at Newcastle Racecourse.
The 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is scheduled for Saturday, December 2.
Recent Fighting Fifth Hurdle Winners
The Fighting Fifth is well-known for having been won by some top-class hurdlers over the years, including Sea Pigeon, Dato Star, Epatante, and Constitution Hill.
Below are the last five winners of the Fighting Fifth.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Constitution Hill |
| 2021 | Epatante & Not So Sleepy (Dead-Heat) |
| 2020 | Epatante |
| 2019 | Cornerstone Lad |
| 2018 | Buveur d’Air |
FAQs
When is the 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle?
The 2023 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is scheduled for Saturday, December 2.
Where is the Fighting Fifth Hurdle run?
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is run annually at Newcastle Racecourse.
Who won the 2022 Fighting Fifth Hurdle?
Constitution Hill won the 2022 Fighting Fifth Hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley.
Where can I watch the Fighting Fifth Hurdle?
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle will be free-to-view on ITV Racing and available to stream via the ITV Hub platform. You can also watch the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Sky Sports Racing - however, an active Sky subscription will be required. Alternatively, you can stream the race via several online bookmakers.
