Forceful Faugheen delivers
ANY thoughts of putting Faugheen out to grass were forgotten as the former Champion Hurdler destroyed a top-class field in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday. The 10-year-old, trained by champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins, had the field at full-stretch for most of the three-mile event and as soon as jockey David Mullins kicked for home, the result was never in doubt. Faugheen (11-2) had plenty left in the tank and pulled away from stablemate and 2-1 favourite Penhill by 13 lengths, with Shaneshill third, to complete a Mullins one-twothree.
The career of Faugheen, owned by Rich Ricci, had been put in doubt after a number of lacklustre performances over two miles this season since coming back from a long-lay-off.
But three miles appears to be the horse’s ideal trip and Mullins will consider staying over the longer distance for next season, with novice chasing included as an option.
“David said he loved it, absolutely loved it,” said Mullins. “He probably got a lot of things his own way there today and it may not happen again in the future, but he has a fair engine.
“That victory was something else. Maybe we’ll stay three miles or maybe we’ll go chasing with him – I don’t know.
“It’s going to be fun deciding what we are going to do.
“He worked the other morning and this was going to be a last-chance saloon. Ruby Walsh was with me on the gallops and we looked at each other and said that’s him gone.
Ricci said: “If he had finished down the field today we probably would have said it was time to retire him, but it didn’t happen. I’m absolutely delighted. I didn’t want him to disgrace himself and I was wondering what to do with him, maybe go novice chasing with him next season.
“All of a sudden he’s done that today and it’s magic.
“It’s credit to Willie as well. He’s amazing, as is everyone in the yard.”
Mullins scored a big-race double when his top novice chaser Footpad cruised to a 12-length victory in the Ryanair Novice Chase.
Mullins extended his lead over Gordon Elliott in the Irish jump trainers’ title race to €424,148 with two days to go.