Furze bids for Newcastle repeat
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.
Ireland’s challenge is restricted to just one possible - the Noel Meade-trained Harchibald, who left his novice form behind when not being extended in easily accounting for Back In Front in the Morgiana Hurdle.
Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle, Cashmans bet: 3-1 Intersky Falcon, 4-1 Harchibald, Inglis Drever, 5-1 Perouse, 7-1 Royal Shakespeare, 8-1 Rigmarole, The French Furze, 10-1 Big Moment, 12-1 Geos, 16-1 Mondul, 20-1 Copeland.
