Top hurdlers entered in Newcastle feature
Intersky Falcon heads an impressive five-day entry of 18 for this Saturday’s Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old took the Grade Two event in fine style last year, coming home six-lengths clear of The French Furze, who is also entered in this year’s renewal.
Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer is a member of the syndicate which owns Intersky Falcon.
In-form O’Neill may also run Australian recruit Specular, who has managed to score in eight of his 10 jumping starts.
Champion trainer Martin Pipe has three horses entered. They are Wincanton scorer Well Chief, Smurfit Champion Hurdle second Westender and last Friday’s Ascot winner Mr Cool.
Rigmarole and Sporazene could represent the Paul Nicholls stable.
The former landed a career-best success earlier this month when defying top weight and odds of 33-1 to land the spoils in Cheltenham’s Greatwood Hurdle.
Sporazene is a promising individual having landed a Grade One hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, beating Spectroscope by two lengths.
Trainer Howard Johnson had his chequebook out at this year’s Horses In Training Sales and may run his recent purchase Chivalry.
This year’s Tote Cambridgeshire victor made a smooth transition to hurdles at Ayr earlier this month, beating Vintage Premium by two lengths.
