Sublimity will be ridden by Davy Russell for the first time in Saturday's WBX.COM "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

Russell comes in for the ride on the 2007 Champion Hurdle winner as usual partner Philip Carberry broke a collarbone riding in France on Wednesday.

Sublimity was formerly in the care of John Carr but is now trained by Robbie Hennessy, son of the eight-year-old's owner, Bill Hennessy.

"Davy Russell will ride on Saturday," confirmed the fledgling handler.

"It's a real shame for Philip as he knows him so well.

"I could have done without this for my first runner."

Hennessy only had his licence confirmed earlier this week and the former Sir Michael Stoute-trained gelding will be his first runner.

Punjabi currently heads the betting for the race, which has attracted eight runners.

Nicky Henderson's charge finished third in the Champion Hurdle in March before winning the ACCBank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Punjabi's age group have a good recent record in the race, with Intersky Falcon, Harchibald, Straw Bear and Arcalis having in recent years struck gold as a five-year-old.

The latter, trained by Howard Johnson, is also a former winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and returns after a 582-day lay-off.

Harchibald will be looking for a third victory in the Grade One, while another Irish raider is Harper Valley, third in the four-year-old Hurdle at Aintree in April.

Swinton Hurdle scorer Blue Bajan, Nicky Richards' highly-regarded Noble Alan and the promising Tazbar complete the line-up.

Sponsors wbx.com have put up a £1million bonus if any horse can win the "Fighting Fifth", the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the big one at Cheltenham in March.

WBX PR manager Iain Turner said: "We are absolutely delighted with the final declarations for the WBX.COM 'Fighting Fifth' Hurdle.

"With the WBX Triple Crown up for grabs it is especially pleasing to see last year's Champion Hurdle third, Punjabi, and a previous winner of the Champion Hurdle go to post."