Harchibald On Track For Newcastle

The wbx.com ?Fighting Fifth' Hurdle at Newcastle is shaping up to be a terrific contest with the news that Harchibald is an intended runner.

Noel Meade pulled the 2004 winner out of his intended engagement in the Morgiana Hurdle last weekend due to the rain-softened ground but connections are hoping conditions at Gosforth Park will be more to his liking.

He is fully recovered from a setback that ruled him out of the second half of last season but does have to overcome a disappointing comeback at Tipperary when he could finish only fourth of five.

However, that came on heavy ground which Meade has since stated he will never run on again.

'Harchibald is in great form. He did a really nice piece of work last week so hopefully if he stays well and the ground stays as it is he will travel over,' said Meade

'I heard they are calling bits of it good to firm so it should be fine for him.'

A fantastic race looks in prospect with the like of Mac?s Joy, Al Eile, Arcalis, Desert Quest, Noble Request and Straw Bear all possibles.

On the other side of the coin Nick Gifford is hoping for rain before he is prepared to unleash last year's smart novice Straw Bear for the first time this winter.

After being touched off in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham he routed the opposition at Aintree before finding only Iktitaf too good at the Punchestown Festival, form which looks top class following the exploits of the winner at the weekend.

'He has been entered for the Fighting Fifth but we'll just have to see,' said Gifford.

'I would like to see some rain up in the North East. They normally get it but the last update I had said it was good to firm in the straight.

'However, it was like that last year and it rained on the Friday night and went to soft.

'If we weren't happy with the ground we would then be looking at the Boylesports International (December 9) at Cheltenham instead.'

(C) PA Sport