Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2013 Preview: Newcastle

The StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle takes place at Newcastle 14.05 today in what is a 2.5 mile Grade 1 event.

Nicky Henderson’s, My Tent Or Yours is dominating the market at a best priced 4/5 with Bet Butler to come out on top and if he is at his best should be good enough to take this. The obvious favourable pointers are, AP McCoy on board and his Aintree win back in April?

However, niggling doubts as to the trainers relatively slow start to the season with Henderson’s horses look to be in need of a run to bring them on. That leaves us open to looking for some added value due to the short price available about him?

Melodic Rendezvous is available at a best priced13/1 with Seanniemac, who has won all four of his previous races and won at Wincanton earlier in the month. It will take a big run to bet the favourite but he has tons of quality and 2nd favourite backers could well pile in?

COCKNEY SPARROW has an 80{70aeb3532cb26dbe277d25ea128ebb74de84b9bd22e1583b0eb1b73768e061f6} success rate at this distance and has had a winning seasonal run so looks the value horse at a best priced EW option to fill the places at 10/1 with bet365.

Saturday also sees the Hennessy Gold Cup as the feature at Newbury.

Jim Culloty has made no secret of his hopes for RSA Chase winner Lord Windermere in this race and feels his second-season chaser is well handicapped and a best priced 8/1 with Bet Butler

Invictus hasn’t run since his novice season in 2012. However, he has the noyable scalp of Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth. If he strips fit and has retained his ability he could be very well handicapped at 10/1 with Bet Victor

Our Father goes well on seasons debuts so David Pipe will be hoping for another winning start to the season…..another with just three starts could be on a good mark at 8/1 with SkyBet

Prince de Beauchene has Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins. He is vastly experienced as a chaser and ran an encouraging race to finish third in the JNWine.com Champion Chase on his seasonal debut, currently a nice EW 14/1 with Seanniemac

Nicky Henderson saddles Hadrian’s Approach, who made a pleasing return to action over an inadequate trip when only just beaten at Kempton and currently 14/1 with Bet Butler

Highland Lodge finished second at Wincanton on hispipeopener for the season and should strip fitter for that. The stable had a disastrous season last year and hopefully will put that behind them….12/1 with SkyBet

This is a race that best suits second season chasers and Rocky Creek fits that bill. Paul Nicholls has had his eye on this race for the horse since his third place behind Dynaste at Aintree in April and another that looks well handicapped on that form with 8/1 with Seanniemac on offer.

Loch Ba will be one of the outsider’s but has winning form at the track and will carry just 10st 1lb in the hands of Dominic Elsworth and a massive 33/1 with Betfred

However, we go for the man of the moment, Jonjo who is in the form of his life and saddles MERRY KING. We think this could be another of his big winners with the trainer having a cracking year and who races off a handy weight at a best priced EW 12/1 with SkyBet

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Today’s Flat Racing comes from the AWT at Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton 20.20…..a Class 2 over 8.5f with a fantastic near £40k on offer as prize money. Ralph Beckett’s HAAF A SIXPENCE is a leading contender being unbeaten here and still looking on the upgrade. A best priced race EW saver at 9/2 with bet365…. his wins have all been at 7f her but has won at 8f, so has just to prove stamina over an extended 110yds, which shouldn’t be a problem with his wins on soft going.