Irish stars enter Fighting mix

Sublimity and Harchibald are among 10 possibles for the wbx.com "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

The former won the 2007 Champion Hurdle when in the care of John Carr and could have his first start for Robbie Hennessy, son of owner Bill, in this weekend's Grade One contest.

The enigmatic Harchibald, winner of this race 12 months ago and in 2004, could return to obstacles having finished down the field on the all-weather at Dundalk last month.

Beau Michael and Harper Valley could also make the journey from Ireland, while Howard Johnson may be double-handed with another former winner, Arcalis, and Degas Art.

Blue Bajan, Punjabi, Noble Alan and Tazbar complete the field.

Tazbar also holds an entry in the toteswinger Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury the same day.

"At the moment I would say Newcastle, mainly because it's local for us," said trainer Keith Reveley.

"The trip would be too short for him but it would just get him back on the race track.

"I ran him on the Flat at Catterick three weeks ago and it was a mistake - He's a staying hurdler, at the end of the day.

"I'd be thinking of running him in the 'Fighting Fifth', then maybe think of the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot or something like that.

"Those are my thoughts at the moment but I'll see what the ground conditions are like and who's going to stand their ground and then decide later in the week."