INTERSKY FALCON (1.40) should not be opposed in his bid to win Newcastle's Pertemps-sponsored Fighting Fifth Hurdle for the second year in succession.

Part-owned by Alan Shearer, Intersky Falcon has the £45,000 event in his sights en route to another crack at Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle next March.

"The Fighting Fifth has always been the long-term plan of our trainer Jonjo O'Neill - the intention is to defend his crown," reported Shearer's close friend Terry McDermott, the official spokesman for the Interskyracing.com syndicate.

Twelve months ago O'Neill's classy six-year-old had six lengths to spare over The French Furze, who again re-opposes at Gosforth Park. This time the margin of victory is not likely to be so big as Intersky Falcon (1.40) could be a touch ring-rusty, whereas The French Furze will be fully tuned up after an impressive success at Ayr a couple of weeks ago.

The other main threat to Intersky Falcon's dominance may well emerge from Westender.

Martin Pipe's enigmatic so-and-so does not always put his best foot forward, although like so many of Pipe's inmates Westender represents a potential world-beater when in the mood.

There are going to be a few tired legs at the end of the preceding 3-mile Decorating & Building Services Handicap, a marathon event that plays to the strengths of Sireric (1.10).

Trained just down the road by in-form handler Bob Johnson, Sireric has been a regular in similar stamina-sapping contests all over the north during the past decade.

Johnson's old-stager is arguably getting a bit long in the tooth nowadays at thirteen years of age, but with the current dearth of decent staying chasers among the National Hunt ranks, Sireric still has sufficient ability to pay his way.

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