FAUGHEEN POWERS BACK
FAUGHEEN, nicknamed The Machine but with a spluttering engine this season, powered to victory in the € 275,000 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle to seal a win which all but ensured trainer Willie Mullins will retain his Irish champion jumps trainers’ title.
After a dismal workout at the weekend observed by Mullins and sidelined stable jockey Ruby Walsh, the gelding — winner of the 2015 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham — turned up carrying faint hopes and no expectations.
Faugheen may have won on his seasonal debut but three runs since had included being pulled up at Leopardstown at Christmas and fading to more than 20 lengths behind Buveur D’Air in this year’s Champion Hurdle. But, running over three miles for the first time since he won a novice hurdle at Limerick in 2013, Faugheen started in front under jockey David Mullins and always looked like staying there. The only opponent who remotely looked able to lay a glove on him was stablemate Penhill, winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival. But he was easily fended off and beaten 13 lengths by the 11-2 winner. Mullins (left) said: ‘What a horse! After his work the other morning this was like a last- chance saloon. Myself and Ruby were on the gallops, we looked at each other and said ‘’that’s him gone’’.
‘He comes here and puts in that performance. It shows he still has a heart and an engine. Maybe he has just been fed up going that two- mile gallop. When he got things his own way, he started to enjoy it.’
Despite being 10 years old, options for Faugheen next season include a shot at fences.
Owner Rich Ricci said: ‘I am serious about novice chasing. There is a lot to think about now.’
Mullins later landed the Grade One Ryanair Chase with Footpad, ridden by Daryl Jacob. The 2-5 favourite looked as impressive as when landing the Arkle novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. He will be a worthy opponent next season for nicky Henderson’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Altior.
By the end of play Mullins — also successful with Cadmium, ridden by Danny Mullins — had won 12 of the 22 races run.
A prize money deficit to Gordon Elliott of more than
500,000 has been turned into a lead of more than € 400,000.
Elliott made it three wins for the meeting when Park Paddocks won the opening handicap hurdle and he has the unbeaten Samcro to run in today’s Champion Hurdle.
But he must feel like a boxer pummelled on the ropes with Mullins about to snatch the title from his grasp at this meeting for the second year running.
Elliott said: ‘You have to smile and keep your head up. Willie is an amazing man.’