Fighting Fifth fails to cause ripples in Champion Hurdle market

As the National Hunt season engages top gear, the markets for the Cheltenham Festival begin to take shape.

Bookmaker reaction to top-class action on both sides of the Irish Sea suggests reigning Champion Hurdler Faugheen (7-4) has little to fear from the weekend’s big winners, despite having something to prove following his Morgiana Hurdle defeat.

Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle failed to make a deep impact on the Champion Hurdle market, winner Identity Thief being introduced as big as 33-1 following his game victory.