It's on: Buveur D'Air, Samcro and Summerville Boy declared for Fighting Fifth

Dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air is set for an epic clash with two of last season's star novice hurdlers, Samcro and Summerville Boy, in the BetVictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, who won the Fighting Fifth last season en route to Champion Hurdle glory, will face strong competition in the form of Samcro, who bids to put a shock defeat at Down Royal behind him, and Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Summerville Boy.

Samcro's conqueror Bedrock is also in the line up alongside the Colin Tizzard-trained Vision Des Flos and Ben Haslam's Bleu Et Rouge.

Elegant Escape and Thomas Patrick (right) take their place in the 14-runner Ladbrokes TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The going at Newcastle eased on Thursday morning, with James Armstrong, clerk of the course, writing on Twitter: "Following 5mm of rain last night, the going has eased a fraction to soft, good to soft in places. Chance of showers today, set dry on Friday. Strong but mild southerly winds could see things revert to good to soft, soft in places."

Coral kept Buveur D'Air as their 6-4 favourite, with Samcro 15-8 and Summerville Boy available at 3-1.

Grade 1 winner Sam Spinner tops the seven-strong field for Friday's Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, where he is set to face the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Wholestone and 2016 winner Unowhatimeanharry.

Impressive chase debutant La Bague Au Roi heads a final field of four for the Berkshire Novices' Chase, which has been won previously by Gold Cup heroes Bobs Worth and Coneygree.

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