The French Furze upsets odds-on Intersky Falcon in Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Nine year old The French Furze finally won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle yesterday where Nicky Richard´s 25/1 shot upset 1/2favourite Intersky Falcon.The French Furze finished second in the last two renewals of the race but outbattled Geos in the closing stages to win by three parts of a length under Brian Harding. John Joe O´Neill´s Intersky Falcon appeared to be travelling well before the third last but faded in the closing stages after making a mistake at the final flight. While Intersky Falcon´s owner Terry McDermott confessed to being 'in a state of shock', winning rider Brian Harding reported 'Nicky (Richards) has done a great job on this horse. We tried him chasing last season but although he won a race, he wasnt a natural. Nicky has got him sweetened up and lets him do his own thing and lets him out every day.'Bookmaker Victor Chandler responded to the race by pushing out Intersky Falcon´s Champion Hurdle price from 10/1 to 14/1.
