# Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2026: Race Time, Winners & Guide _The Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, the first Grade 1 hurdle of the British jumps season: race date, off time, recent winners and trends._ *Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/fighting-fifth-hurdle/](https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/fighting-fifth-hurdle/) ยท last updated 2026-10-09* # Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2026 The **Fighting Fifth Hurdle** at Newcastle is the first Grade 1 hurdle of the British jumps season, and an early look at the two-mile hurdlers who will shape the Champion Hurdle picture. It takes its name from the "Fighting Fifth", the nickname of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. For **2026** the race is scheduled for **Saturday 28 November 2026**. The off time, the going and the declared runners are confirmed in race week, and this page adds the off time and going as they are published. ## At a glance - **Course:** Newcastle (Gosforth Park) - **Grade:** Grade 1 - **Distance:** 2m 190y, which varies a little with the rail positions - **Age:** 4yo+ - **First run:** 1969 Below: the 2026 details, the recent winners with the trends behind them, how to watch, and the day out. Our [Fighting Fifth course guide](/uk-racecourses/newcastle/fighting-fifth-hurdle-guide/) has more of its history, and the [Newcastle course guide](/uk-racecourses/newcastle/) covers the track. ## 2026 race details # 2026 race details | Detail | Value | |---|---| | **Race date** | Saturday 28 November 2026 | | **Off time** | TBA | | **Going** | TBA | | **Field size** | TBA | | **Distance** | 2m 190y | | **Grade** | Grade 1 | | **Age** | 4yo+ | Final declarations are made two days before the race, and the off time and going above update once they are published. ### Where the race fits Fields are small, so every runner tends to be a serious one. The same Saturday brings the [Coral Gold Cup](/racing-news/coral-gold-cup/) at Newbury, and the next Grade 1 hurdle for the same horses is the Christmas Hurdle, on the [King George VI Chase](/racing-news/king-george-vi-chase/) card at Kempton on Boxing Day. Our [festivals and big races board](/festivals/) lists every big race coming up, soonest first. On race morning the [AI race predictor](/ai-race-predictor/) publishes its ratings and fair prices for every British race, the Fighting Fifth included. ## Recent winners and trends # Recent winners and trends ## The records # The records - **Leading trainer:** Nicky Henderson, with nine wins, including Buveur D'Air (2017 and 2018), Epatante (2020 and the 2021 dead heat) and Constitution Hill (2022). - **Most wins by a horse:** Comedy of Errors and Birds Nest, three each. - **Leading jockey:** Barry Geraghty, with three wins. - **The 2021 dead heat:** Epatante and Not So Sleepy could not be separated. - **Other venues:** the race has been moved when Newcastle could not stage it, most recently to Sandown in 2023. ## How to watch and where to bet # How to watch and where to bet The television listing and the off time are confirmed in race week, when the declarations are out. This page shows the off time above as soon as it is published. Two things are worth checking before you bet: - **Free bets and their terms.** Check the minimum odds and the expiry before you claim. Our [free bet offers](/bookmakers/best-free-bet-offers/) page compares them. - **Best odds guaranteed.** Prices move once the going is known. A BOG bookmaker pays the starting price if it is bigger than the price you took. See our [best BOG bookmakers](/bookmakers/best-bog-bookmakers/). 18+. Bet only what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, [BeGambleAware](https://www.begambleaware.org/) offers free, confidential help. ## Raceday at Newcastle # Raceday at Newcastle Fighting Fifth day is one of the biggest jumps days of the year at Newcastle. Book ahead and dress for a cold late-November afternoon in the north east. For getting there and the enclosures, read our [day out at Newcastle](/uk-racecourses/newcastle/newcastle-day-out-guide/) guide, and the [Newcastle betting guide](/uk-racecourses/newcastle/newcastle-betting-guide/) has the course angles. Results go on this page within 24 hours of the race, and the full card's results are on our [racing results](/racing-results/) page the same evening. ## Frequently asked questions # Frequently asked questions ### When is the Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2026? Saturday 28 November 2026 at Newcastle. The off time is confirmed in race week and shown in the race details above. ### Why is it called the Fighting Fifth? It is named after the "Fighting Fifth", the nickname of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. ### What grade is the Fighting Fifth Hurdle? Grade 1. It was promoted to Grade 1 in 2004 and is the first Grade 1 hurdle of the British jumps season. ### Which trainer has won the Fighting Fifth most often? Nicky Henderson, with nine wins.