LOTS TO MULL OVER
FAUGHEEN shrugged off his long absence with a brilliant victory in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Willie Mullins’ star showed his rivals no mercy on his first start for 665 days and stormed clear to beat Jezki (6-1) by 16 lengths under Paul Townend.
Bookmakers were impressed with the 2015 Champion Hurdler who is now as short as 2-1 to regain his crown at Cheltenham in March.
Fox Norton (4-5 fav) made an impressive return in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham.
Colin Tizzard’s gelding always travelled smoothly for Bryan Cooper and powered up the hill to beat Cloudy Dream (9-4) by eight lengths.
The gelding is now a 5-1 shot with most firms for the Champion Chase in March.
North Hill Harvey (6-4) absolutely bolted up in the Arkle Trial.
Dan Skelton’s gelding produced an assured display of jumping and galloping under the trainer’s brother Harry to rout River Wylde (Evens Fav) by 18 lengths.
The six-year-old is now a general 16-1 shot for the Arkle itself at the Festival in March.
DELFACE (1.50) can spearhead a profitable day for David Pipe at Leicester today.
The ex-Irish four-year-old hacked up on his debut for his new connections at Ffos Las in May and is open to plenty of improvement.
The Pond House handler can also take the opener with RED SQUARE REVIVAL (12.50).
The six-year-old put in his best effort for a while when scoring at Plumpton last time and remains on a workable mark.
FAIR FRANK (3.20) will take all the beating in the conditional riders’ chase.
David Bridgwater’s gelding is unexposed and can build on his impressive recent Southwell success under the talented Mitchell Bastyan.
ROPARTA AVENUE (3.40) can enhance trainer Chris Gordon’s excellent record at Plumpton.
The 10-year-old did it nicely at Fontwell nine days ago and can overcome a 5lb hike in his current mood.
●Ruby Walsh remains in hospital after breaking his leg at Punchestown on Saturday.
However, the jockey will not require surgery on the fractured tibia he sustained when falling from Let’s Dance.
The signs are positive as regards his fitness for March’s Cheltenham Festival.