Last season’s leading novice hurdler, The New Lion, is set to make his return to action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. It will be his first start outside of novice company, and he will be bidding for his third straight Grade One success.
Dan Skelton’s runner is unbeaten in five starts in his career, and he looks set to be a big player for the Champion Hurdle in March at the Cheltenham Festival.
Big Season Ahead for Last Season’s Champion Novice Hurdler
After an impressive performance in the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival last season, a lot is expected from The New Lion in his new campaign. He has opened up as the 6/4 favourite in the horse racing betting for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
The Big Three raced all the way!
But it’s The New Lion who reigns supreme in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/TF6Fs2A88M
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
The six-year-old gelding is likely to be one of the leading horse racing tips for all the premier 2m races this season, as he could continue to improve on the track. He has an official rating of 159 heading into the new campaign, making him one of the highest-rated hurdlers in the 2m division.
If all goes well at Newcastle, the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton are both likely to be considered by Skelton, before his star hurdler heads back to Cheltenham in March for the Championship race on day one of the meeting.
Anzadam Leads the Challenge Against The New Lion
Lightly raced Irish raider Anazadam is expected to join The New Lion in this year’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ runner has featured just twice in Ireland, winning both of his starts by a large margin.
Champion Hurdle contender?
Anzadam retains his unbeaten tag in impressive fashion to win the Grade 3 @NaasRacecourse Business Club Limestone Lad ⚫️@WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/cM8FvAC2rI
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 26, 2025
Mullins’ runner missed out on the Cheltenham Festival last season due to a setback, so his connections will be hoping to gain compensation at Newcastle. The former French-based horse has a big reputation, and he could be the latest star from the Closutton Stables.
Former Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 2022 in impressive style, and he may also get the chance to regain his crown. Nicky Henderson’s hurdler has been beaten on his last three appearances, so he will be bidding to bounce back in the Newcastle feature.
Early Trainers’ Championship Earnings on The Line for Skelton
Skelton fell agonisingly close to his maiden Trainers’ Championship title last season. He was runner-up to Mullins, who recorded victories in the Grand National and Scottish Grand National in the final months of the season to leapfrog the Midlands-based trainer in the standings.
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle represents a good opportunity for Skelton to land some lucrative prize money to his tally this season. There is a purse of £115,000, with just over £65,000 going to the winner of the race.
Skelton already has an early lead in the Trainers’ Championship table, but he will know better than anybody that the fate of the title will come down to the big meetings this season.
The 2025 Fighting Fifth Hurdle takes place on Saturday, 29th November, and it is one of the early Group One races on the 2025/26 National Hunt calendar.
