FAUGHEEN FEAR
FAUGHEEN is at a career crossroads after the 2015 Champion Hurdler suffered a shock defeat at Leopardstown.
Punters sent Willie Mullins’ star, beaten just once in his previous 13 outings over obstacles, off at 2-11 for the Ryanair Hurdle.
But Paul Townend’s mount quickly lost his place after the third flight from home, being dismounted and brought back to the paddock in a horse
ambulance as the two-mile event was won by Gordon Elliott’s Mick Jazz.
“He definitely wasn’t himself,” said Mullins.
“At the moment, Faugheen is sound. He pulled up okay and the vets have passed him fine.”
Betfair pushed the Rich Ricci-owned nine-year-old out to 6-1 for the Champion Hurdle in March — Buveur D’Air is the firm’s 8-15 hotpot to retain his title — while some firms removed Faugheen from their antepost lists.
Asked about the eighttime Grade 1 winner’s future — Faugheen was sidelined for 665 days before making a triumphant return at Punchestown last month — Ireland’s champion trainer added: “I’m not thinking anything at the moment.
“We have to go home and do whatever tests we can do and try to look for a reason.
“This is obviously a huge setback.”