Veteran Furze set for Irish assignment

The French Furze could attempt to take some more notable scalps in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown later this month.

Trainer Nicky Richards is considering sending the evergreen 12-year-old over to Ireland to take on the likes of Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Feathard Lady at the Dublin track on January 29.

The tough gelding earned his tilt back in the top grade after lowering the colours of some well-regarded performers at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

He made all the running under an enterprising ride from Brian Harding and had enough in reserve to hold on up the hill by three-quarters of a length from Mighty Man.

Richards was thrilled with the victory and he said: “He’s stood there this morning like he always is – looking for his next race.

“We are going to put him in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Harchibald won’t be in it and there might not be a big field and we might pick a bit of prize money up.

“He was third in it one year (2002) when nobody thought he had any chance.

“Everybody thinks he has no chance every time he runs, but he surprised them again yesterday.

“He was given a great ride and I don’t know what those jockeys were thinking about. They maybe think he’s an old selling plater or something.”