Flame lights up Fighting Fifth
Countrywide Flame captured the scalp of Cinders And Ashes in impressive fashion to land the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The two Cheltenham Festival winners had the race to themselves over the last two flights, and it was the Triumph Hurdle hero who came out on top.
Bothy held a narrow lead from Trifolium, with Countrywide Flame third and Cinders And Ashes last of the four runners through the early stages.
Trifolium was the first beat, as was Bothy soon afterwards, and Denis O’Regan always looked confident on the John Quinn-trained winner.
The 11-4 chance pulled 12 lengths clear of 10-11 favourite Cinders And Ashes to stake an early claim for the Champion Hurdle.
