Skelton feels pressure is on Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth showdown

Dan Skelton feels all the focus will be on Constitution Hill when The New Lion squares up to the one of the stars of the hurdling division in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle later this month.

The JP McManus-owned Cheltenham Festival hero is currently favourite for the Newcastle showpiece on November 29.

Having already had a close-up look at Nicky Henderson’s former champion at a recent gallops morning, the Lodge Hill handler believes his young pretender will have to be every bit as good as hoped to prove his Champion Hurdle credentials at Gosforth Park.

“I know he’s favourite but we’ve got to come up to Constitution Hill’s level,” said Skelton.

“I’m not having it any other way and the way Nicky has been talking, he says he’s back to his best and if he is, then it will be ‘look out’ for the rest of us.

“The concentration has to be on Constitution Hill and what he can do as he has been there and done it.

“I’ve watched him work and if I was his trainer I would be very happy and they have every right to be talking bullishly I think.

“We’re going in at a really deep level, but I think there’s less pressure weirdly on us, because we’re going into this division dotted with all these superstars.

“Unfortunately there will be no State Man (this season), but there are others with big reputations or who have been there and done it and Constitution Hill is the case in point in that regard.

“All eyes will be drawn to him and The New Lion (at Newcastle) and we are stepping into uncharted territory in terms of grade – going up against a horse like Constitution Hill – and trip. We’ve got to go out there and do it.”

Although happy to take a backseat to Constitution Hill in the build up, Skelton is confident his unbeaten six-year-old has all the attributes to play his part in what could be an epic clash on Tyneside.

Skelton has already lowered the colours of one Seven Barrows A-lister when L’Eau Du Sud downed Jonbon at Cheltenham on Friday and like his stablemate, The New Lion will head to the Newcastle ready to find out where he stands in the pecking order.

“It feels like he can (reach the level) and I wouldn’t be pitching him into it if I didn’t think he could,” continued Skelton.

“The race he won at the Festival has a good reputation for horses dropping back in trip, so we’ve a couple of ticks, but we know how hard it will be and the way Nicky is talking, Constitution Hill will be hard to beat.

“He’s a horse who wouldn’t be a flashy workhorse and does all his best work once he gets on grass. We jumped him on grass last week and he has been for an away day.

“He anticipates when racing is coming and is quite an unusual character, he can almost read the script – he almost gets himself ready more than we train him.

“We had to have L’Eau Du Sud ready at Cheltenham to find out where we stand against the big boys and it will be the same with The New Lion. He’s got to step into that top league, he’s going into Constitution Hill’s back yard and he’s got to be ready to do it.”