The Fighting Fifth hurdle is usually the race to set alight Champion Hurdle talk early in the season, and it delivered a dramatic outcome on Saturday.
Constitution Hill, on the comeback trial, to prove he still had it and could regain his Champion Hurdle crown, fell at the second fence. It was a third fall from his last four, a third straight fall on UK soil.
The New Lion, the young up-and-coming horse, ready to stamp his authority on the Champion Hurdle and give JP McManus another leading charge, fell up the home straight.
Just like at the 2025 Champion Hurdle, while others were struggling to jump, Golden Ace was in the right place at the right time, and once again picked up the pieces to land a grade one success.
The race and the aftermath have done plenty for the Champion Hurdle betting market, and the two main talking points aren’t even horses from the Fighting Fifth.
Lossiemouth Clear Champion Hurdle Favourite
A week before the Fighting Fifth hurdle, Lossiemouth was the first Champion Hurdle contender to throw down a marker, with a dominant win in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
It wasn’t a vintage renewal, but she did what she had to and won the contest by 19 lengths. After winning, she shortened for the Champion Hurdle, as is the case with any antepost market nowadays, but then she took another leap forward after the Fighting Fifth.
Favourite in the market, and clear favourite now, she’s a best price of 2/1 to win the March showpiece.
Could Sir Gino Run in the Champion Hurdle?
Now I’ll open things up first by saying I think it’s absolutely bonkers we’re talking about this. But Sir Gino, a horse last seen over fences, and expected to return this season and run over fences, is the 5/1 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle.
To make this even more wild, firstly, he’s as short as 3/1 in places. If you wanted to remind yourself that antepost betting was done, then this is the perfect example.
And secondly, let’s not forget the horse hasn’t been seen since a career-threatening injury, and not only that, but a life-threatening injury too. I find it bizarre that just because Constitution Hill isn’t looking like a Champion Hurdle horse, we think Nicky Henderson will just pluck another one to take his place, regardless of the plans for him.
It’s one of the craziest market moves I’ve seen in a long time, and I just can’t have Sir Gino being a Champion Hurdle horse this season.
Mixed Response to Fighting Fifth Runners
As for those that did actually compete in the Fighting Fifth, Constitution Hill is as big as 16/1 for the Champion Hurdle now, and you have to think that he’s off for a run or two on the flat, before anything else, so I’m not surprised by this price.
The New Lion remains towards the head of the betting after his fall. He’s joint second favourite at 5/1 with Sir Gino to bounce back. At least you know the Champion Hurdle is his intended plan, and the Skelton team are still aiming for it.
Finally, the winner, Golden Ace, the forgotten horse, and winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2025. She’s a best price of 14/1 to retain her title, and yes, there’s other horses going to line up in the contest that are better than her.
But you can trust her jumping, know she’ll give it her all, and as we’ve now seen twice, if there are any mishaps at Grade One level, she’s good enough to be waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces.
It’s a wild betting market, one that I’d not be getting involved with just yet. But hopefully, the next few weeks, plans for runners, and the festive races, can shed some more light on the Champion Hurdle for us.