Ricci’s star to return
CHRIS GOULDING FAUGHEEN, winner of the 2015 Champion Hurdle, is on course to make his return to action after a 22-month lay-off in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next Sunday.
Owner Rich Ricci reports the Willie Mullins-trained gelding is ready for a comeback after being sidelined through injury since storming to victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January 2016.
“He’s in the Morgiana next Sunday and the Hatton’s Grace a couple of weeks after,” said Ricci.
“The plan is to run on Sunday. We’ve been here before with Faugheen.
“Everything’s gone to plan. We kept him in longer than the other horses so he wouldn’t gain too much weight and be harder to get back into shape.
“That was a good idea and he’s had plenty of time. I’m very excited too as by all accounts he’s done well.”