Leopardstown awaits veteran Furze

Gallant 12-year-old The French Furze is on target to take his chance in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29.

The Jim Ennis-owned frontrunner defied his age to win a valuable event at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, beating the highly-rated Mighty Man, and trainer Nicky Richards told At The Races it was no surprise to him.

“Nothing surprises me with that horse because he is a very game and consistent sort. I suppose one or two of the jockeys let him slip away and they couldn’t get back at him,” he said.

“He ran a fantastic race at Cheltenham but then he’s run some fantastic races all his life, so nothing he does surprises me anymore.

“At the moment the plan is the AIG Champion Hurdle as the race is starting to thin out slightly.”

Richards also had news of his other stable stars, most notably Jazz D’Estruval, who bolted up in a handicap hurdle at Haydock on his last run.

Prior to that he had looked a smart novice chaser before disappointing behind My Will at Perth in April.

“We are probably going to go over fences with him from now on,” he said. “He may go to the Irish Hennessy. We’ll see how his schooling goes and then we’ll talk it over with the owners.

“Direct Access has been having a few days hunting in Northumberland since his win at Newcastle but he’s back with me now.

“He may not run again until the (Grand) National. We want him to be fresh and ready for Aintree and that’s probably his next target.

“Knockara Luck could go for a mares’ only Bumper at Musselburgh (February 15) as the aim is to get her qualified for the final at Sandown on the Saturday before the Festival.”