Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Grade 1, Newcastle 14:55 £120,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 98y, Class 1
Saturday 26th November 2016

1 Irving 6/1
2 Apple's Jade 15/8F
3 Hidden Cyclone 12/1
6 ran Distances: nse, 2½l, 6l
TIME 3m 56.30s (slow by 15.30s)

Irving rolls back the years for a second Fighting Fifth triumph

Irving
© Racehorse Photos

The eight-year-old Irving looked a seriously smart recruit for Paul Nicholls after winning his first four starts on these shores a few seasons ago, but disappointed when joint-favourite for the 2014 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and his career has gone in peaks and troughs since.

He justified prohibitive odds in this Grade One event two years ago, but finished tailed off when defending his crown and having also failed to fire on his only subsequent start in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February, he was a 6-1 shot for his return to Gosforth Park.

Those who kept the faith would not have been optimistic for much of the two-mile journey, with conditional jockey Harry Cobden having to get to work at various stages.

Apple's Jade
© Racehorse Photos

However, Irving responded to his young rider's urgings and after battling his way to the front in the straight, he had just enough in the tank to fend off heavily-supported 15-8 favourite Apple's Jade.

The pair flashed by the post almost as one, but the judge confirmed Irving the winner by a nose.

Cobden said: "It's my first ride in a Grade One and I'm very grateful to the owners and especially Mr Nicholls for letting me ride."

Nicholls watched on from Newbury and was understandably thrilled.

"It's been a great team effort to get him back. It was a great ride from Harry," said the champion trainer.

"I would not mind going two and a half with him. He is not going for the Christmas Hurdle as he would get lapped.

"We will find something over two and a half for him after Christmas.

"He has been a nightmare to train."

Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle
£120,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 98y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places

Pos	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Irving 6/1	Harry Cobden 11-7	P F Nicholls	8
2nd	nse	Apple's Jade (FR) 15/8f	J W Kennedy 11-0	G Elliott	4
3rd	2½	Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 12/1	D E Mullins 11-7	J J Hanlon	11
4th	6	Sceau Royal (FR) 9/4	D A Jacob 11-7	A King	4
5th	55	Mirsaale 40/1	B Hughes 11-7	K Dalgleish	6
F		Petit Mouchoir (FR) 4/1	B J Cooper 11-7	H de Bromhead	5