The race is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.

Its title refers to the "Fighting Fifth", the nickname of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

There were two triple winners of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle during the 1970s: Comedy of Errors and Bird's Nest.

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle was formerly classed at Grade 2 level, and for a brief spell in the 1990s it was run as a limited handicap.

It was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2004, and it is now the first top-grade hurdle race of the British National Hunt season.