The New Lion, Constitution Hill and Anzadam confirmed for blockbuster Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on Saturday

The stage is set for a blockbuster BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.00) at Newcastle after The New Lion, Constitution Hill and Anzadam were confirmed for Saturday's Grade 1.

The New Lion, who is vying for Unibet Champion Hurdle favouritism with Lossiemouth, will make his first start of the season for in-form trainer Dan Skelton.

Standing in his way will be Constitution Hill, on a redemption mission after a disappointing end to his last campaign, and the unbeaten five-year-old Anzadam.

Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace, who was comfortably beaten on her return in a match race at Wetherby this month, has also been confirmed by Jeremy Scott.

Nemean Lion has been supplemented for the race by Kerry Lee at a cost of £2,430. He has not run since being pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle in March after being pulled out of the Ascot Hurdle on Saturday because of unsuitable ground.

Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson have a debrief after the gallop

"Constitution Hill was great this morning and Nico [de Boinville] had a big smile on his face which is all I need"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Nicky Henderson reported Constitution Hill to have sailed through his final piece of serious work on Monday and will travel to Newcastle on Friday.

"He was great this morning and Nico [de Boinville] had a big smile on his face which is all I need," said Henderson. "Neither Nico nor I are great fans [of the padded hurdles] and we don't have them at home. We've got the old wooden hurdles and he loves jumping them. That's easy.

"Barney [Clifford] kindly bought us a whole lot of his padded hurdles last week, which was very good of him. I was trying to come here [Kempton] and maybe have a pop over a few hurdles but with the Newbury gallop last Tuesday, I hardly needed two away days.

"So Barney kindly brought the hurdles to the horse rather than me taking the horse to the hurdles. We were happy this morning and schooling has gone well. Crossed fingers that nothing trips us up between now and departure on Friday."

Henderson had contemplated adding a pacemaker to the race but decided against it after speaking to his rider. Talking to RacingTV, the trainer added: "I did ring Nico at 11.55am to see if he wanted a pacemaker but he said no. I don't suppose Nico worries too much. Tactically, it could get a bit messy but I'm sure we'll know what we need to do when the time comes."

BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle confirmations

Anzadam Willie Mullins
Constitution Hill Nicky Henderson
Nemean Lion Kerry Lee
The New Lion Dan Skelton
Golden Ace Jeremy Scott

Paddy Power: 11-8 Constitution Hill, The New Lion, 11-4 Anzadam, 20 Golden Ace, 66 Nemean Lion

Panic Attack confirmed for Coral Gold Cup

A total of 27 horses have stood their ground for Saturday's Coral Gold Cup (2.55) at Newbury, including leading contenders Resplendent Grey for Olly Murphy and last season's Ultima winner Myretown.

Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Panic Attack has been confirmed by Skelton, while his title rival Willie Mullins has four potential runners in O'Moore Park, Spanish Harlem, Blizzard Of Oz and A Penny A Hundred.

Myretown and Resplendent Grey are the sponsor's 6-1 joint-favourites, while Panic Attack has shortened to 11-1 (from 25).

"Myretown and Resplendent Grey have been at the head of the Coral Gold Cup betting for several weeks, and one of the duo is still most likely to start favourite on Saturday, but Spanish Harlem has halved in price from 20-1 in recent days, suggesting he could be Willie Mullins' big hope," said Coral's David Stevens.

Coral Gold Cup confirmations

Monty's Star Henry de Bromhead
Intense Raffles Thomas Gibney
Three Card Brag Gordon Elliott
Spanish Harlem Willie Mullins
Ga Law Jamie Snowden
Perceval Legallois Gavin Cromwell
Blizzard Of Oz Willie Mullins
Resplendent Grey Olly Murphy
Gorgeous Tom Henry de Bromhead
Lowry's Bar Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
Victtorino Venetia Williams
Hyland Nicky Henderson
Annual Invictus Chris Gordon
The Changing Man Joe Tizzard
Cruz Control Tom Lacey
Riskintheground Dan Skelton
Myretown Lucinda Russell & Micheal Scudamore
O'Moore Park Willie Mullins
Katate Dori Sam Thomas
The Doyen Chief Alan King
Grandeur D'Ame Alan King
Moon D'Orange John McConnell
Panic Attack Dan Skelton
Pic Roc Ben Pauling
Inch House Paul Nicholls
A Penny A Hundred Willie Mullins
Ask Brewster Evan Williams

Coral: 6 Myretown, Resplendent Grey, 10 Hyland, Katate Dori, Spanish Harlem, The Changing Man, 11 Panic Attack, 12 Inch House, 14 Blizzard Of Oz, Katate Dori, The Doyen Chief, 16 Gorgeous Tom, Monty’s Star, Victtorino, 20 bar.

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