Find out who remains in contention for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Coral Gold Cup on Saturday

The unbeaten Sir Gino could face up to ten rivals in Saturday's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.10) after he became Nicky Henderson's sole representative in the race at Monday's confirmation stage.

The four-year-old steps in for the sidelined ante-post favourite Constitution Hill, who was found to be lame last week, and could make his debut in open company against a formidable rival in Mystical Power, a two-time Grade 1 winner trained by Willie Mullins. 

The son of Annie Power was last seen scoring at the Punchestown festival, where he defeated Supreme winner Slade Steel, and will be Mullins' first runner in the Newcastle Grade 1 since Wicklow Brave finished third to Identity Thief in 2015. 

Lorna Fowler is set to send another runner from Ireland in Colonel Mustard, while Elite Hurdle runner-up Brentford Hope could line up for Harry Derham.

Coral Cup winner Langer Dan was one of seven runners ruled out at the confirmation stage, but Dan Skelton could still be represented by Take No Chances.

The absence of the Constitution Hill has encouraged more trainers to consider Saturday's race, with 11 confirmations up from six last year, including the Sam Thomas-trained Lump Sum. 

Jamie Snowden bids for back-to-back Coral Gold Cups

Saturday's Coral Gold Cup will be without the well-fancied Chianti Classico after the Ultima winner was not among 16 confirmations for the £250,000 handicap chase at Newbury. 

The Kim Bailey-trained runner was a best-priced 8-1 for the race following his win at Ascot this month, but was one of 14 ruled out on Monday alongside graduation chase winner Trelawne and Ginny's Destiny. 

Senior Chief: confirmed for Henry de Bromhead in the Coral Gold CupCredit: John Grossick

The market is headed by Colonel Harry, who bids to provide Jamie Snowden with back-to-back wins in the race, ahead of Victtorino and Broadway Boy.

Henry de Bromhead will be represented by Senior Chief, who was last seen winning at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting, while 2017 winner Willie Mullins will send his first runner in three years with Munster National runner-up Horantzau D'Airy. 

In the absence of Chianti Classico, top weight could be carried by the Gary and Josh Moore-trained Nassalam, while bottom weight would be carried by Neon Moon, one of two confirmed runners for David Pipe alongside Remastered. 

BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle confirmations

• Benson Sandy Thomas 
• Brentford Hope Harry Derham 
• Colonel Mustard Lorna Fowler
• Kihavah Adrian Keatley
• Lump Sum Sam Thomas
• Mystical Power Willie Mullins
• Nemean Lion Kerry Lee
• Salver Gary and Josh Moore
• Sir Gino Nicky Henderson
• Tellherthename Jonjo and A.J. O'Neill
• Take No Chances Dan Skelton

BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.10 Newcastle, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 11-10 Sir Gino, 5-4 Mystical Power, 6 Brentford Hope, 11 Salver, 14 Lump Sum, 16 Nemean Lion, 25 bar

Coral Gold Cup confirmations

• Nassalam Gary and Josh Moore
• Sam Brown Anthony Honeyball
• Midnight River Dan Skelton 
• Senior Chief Henry de Bromhead 
• Horantzau D'Airy Willie Mullins
• Colonel Harry Jamie Snowden 
• General En Chef Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm 
• Broadway Boy Nigel Twiston-Davies 
• Grandero Bello Eddie and Patrick Harty 
• Kandoo Kid Paul Nicholls 
• Remastered David Pipe
• Galia Des Liteaux Dan Skelton
• Victtorino Venetia Williams 
• Henry's Friend Ben Pauling 
• Iron Bridge Jonjo and A.J. O'Neill
• Neon Moon David Pipe

Coral Gold Cup (3.00 Newbury, Saturday)
Coral: 13-2 Colonel Harry, 6 Broadway Boy, Victtorino, 7 Kandoo Kid, Senior Chief, 8 Midnight River, 10 Horantzau D'Airy, 12 Henry's Friend, 16 bar

Read these next:

What's on this week: huge jumps cards keep coming with Coral Gold Cup day at Newbury and Mystical Power and Sir Gino clashing at Newcastle 

Christmas Hurdle looks 'realistic' for Constitution Hill after minor setback says Nicky Henderson 

The Front Runner: five great runnings of Newbury's Saturday chase including Denman and Many Clouds 

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