Sub swerves Fifth fight

Robbie Hennessy has ruled Sublimity out of a third crack at the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this weekend.

The 10-year-old chased home Go Native at Gosforth Park 12 months ago and was a narrow second to Punjabi when the race was rearranged and run at Wetherby in 2008.

But with the ground likely to be soft if the meeting beats the forecast frost, Hennessy believes there is little point sending his charge across the Irish Sea.

The 2007 Champion Hurdle hero could still line up on Saturday, however, with the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Hurdle at Fairyhouse an alternative engagement.

“We’ve decided we’re not going to send him this year,” said the County Meath handler.

“I was talking to James Armstrong (Newcastle clerk of the course) and he says the ground is soft.

“And with the frost sheets they are putting down, there is no chance the ground is going to dry out at all.

“It’s hard enough taking on these horses on good ground, so there is no point taking them on when it’s soft.

“The meeting might not even be on at all if the forecast is near right. It was called off a couple of years ago when we went over and it was a long journey there and back.

“We have him in at Fairyhouse on Saturday so we’ll walk the track Friday morning and if we’re happy with the ground, he might take his chance.”