Furze bids for Newcastle repeat

THE FRENCH FURZE, winner of the Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle 12 months ago, features among a cast of 12 entered for the Grade One event at yesterday’s five-day stage.

Nicky Richard’s 10-year-old beat Geos by three-quarters of a length last year, with Intersky Falcon, who was sent off the 1-2 favourite, over two lengths back in third.

Both of those rivals could take their chance again, although they face a strong challenge from the some rising stars, including the Howard Johnson-trained Inglis Drever. The five-year-old will be having his first start out of novice company, on what will also be his first try at the minimum distance of two miles.