French Furze retired

The French Furze has been retired after failing to show his customary zip in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Nicky Richards' ever-popular 13-year-old was making his eighth successive appearance in the Newcastle feature on Saturday, but was beaten some way from home and was eventually pulled up.

Richards said: "He has been a pleasure to train, but age has caught up with him, and the ground was probably a little bit on the quick side for him on Saturday.

"I owe him plenty as he was the horse who enabled me to rub shoulders with the big boys shortly after I started out," he told the Racing Post.

"Great credit to the old lad, he took me to all those Cheltenhams, Haydocks, Aintrees - and of course Newcastle - and he never let me down as he was so consistent.

"He has given me many memories but my two favourite days were his win in the Fighting Fifth (2003), and when he beat Mighty Man in a conditions race at Cheltenham last year.

"My daughter Joey rides him at home and the horse will be given five-star treatment during his retirement."