Freeze leaves Ayr in the cold

Faugheen’s Champion, says Mullins

TODAY’S scheduled jumps card at Ayr was abandoned yesterday due to a frozen track.

Officials held a morning inspection but admitted there was little chance of sufficient improvement in conditions to allow racing to go ahead.

Huntingdon have announced a precautionary inspection for 8am on Friday ahead of racing later that day.

Although raceable at present, the forecast of sub-zero temperatures on Thursday evening has prompted clerk of the course Jack Pryor to announce an early check.

He said: “The forecast is improving. I’m fairly confident.”

RUBY WALSH is to return to the saddle next month as he continues to recover from a broken leg.

The star jockey has been sidelined since November 18 when he fell from Let’s Dance in a race at Punchestown.

However, Walsh is making good progress and should be back in plenty of time before the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He said: “It’s looking mid-to-late February for a return to action. The physio is going well and the doctors are happy with the bone.” WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed month’s Irish Champion Hurdle is “back on the radar” for superstar Faugheen following an impressive workout.

The trainer has yet to establish the reasons behind the 10-year-old’s flop in the Ryanair Hurdle over Christmas.

But Faugheen (left) could now return to Leopardstown on February 3.

Mullins said: “It [Irish Champion Hurdle] wasn’t there before, but it’s come back on the radar.

“I was very taken with the canter. Our vet checked him over and said he was fine.

“It looks like I’ll be able to put him back into full work.”