Faugheen can confirm his superstar status in Champion Hurdle
The seven-year-old is unbeaten in eight races under rules and one on the point-to-point field and, while this assignment represents his sternest test to date, the son of Germany can pass with flying colours.
From a three-mile novice hurdle on heavy ground at Limerick back in Christmas 2013 to the Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December, he has shown tremendous versatility over a range of trips and tracks.
And there’s no shortage of substance. At Kempton, on his most recent outing, he toyed with the 161-rated Purple Bay, with subsequent Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle winner Blue Heron 17 lengths off the pace.
Ruby Walsh, who has chosen him over two-time champion Hurricane Fly, is likely to ride him prominently, and may be able to dictate his own pace, thus ensuring he doesn’t get run off his feet in the early stages.
His jumping technique, at times, has lacked fluency but the issue has never been great enough to prevent him from making relentless progress through the ranks. If he can get into a rhythm early, it’ll take a huge performance to deny him the mantle as the leading hurdler in these isles.
The aforementioned Hurricane Fly has been the most wonderful servant to connections, and hasn’t been far off his very best this season, including when recording a fifth consecutive victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
At 11 years of age and on a track which demands so much, it’s unlikely he will complete a hat-trick of victories, but a gallant effort looks assured.
He had reigning Champion Hurdler Jezki behind in each of his three outings this term, but the betting suggests the form will be reversed this time.
That may be so, but it’s not clear-cut. Jezki progressed nicely through last season and ran the race of his career to get the better of My Tent Or Yours in the closing stages of this race in 2014.
He hasn’t taken any similar steps forward this time and neither has he won a race this season. Thus, those who side with him will be banking on spring ground and the return to Cheltenham bringing out the best in the seven-year-old.
That may happen but it still may not be enough to beat Faugheen or, indeed, The New One, who was very unlucky when third in this race last year.
The last-named, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, in unbeaten in five runs since last year’s Champion Hurdle, in which he was badly hampered by the unfortunate, fatal fall of Our Conor.
He was progressing nicely through this season and towards a return to this race until his most recent outing at Haydock, in which he struggled to justify odds of 1-6.
The King’s Theatre gelding jumped markedly out to his right at many of his hurdles, and it was only pure determination which carried him past the vastly inferior Bertimont in the closing stages. That was quite a significant step backwards and leaves many questions.
Kitten Rock is seeking a five-timer but the progressive five-year-old must make a significant step forward to get involved. Arctic Fire, runner-up in last season’s County Hurdle, has also improved this season, but victory looks beyond his reach.
Vaniteux was touted as a potential Champion Hurdler following his novice season but, game as his efforts have been this term, his progress has been more steady than spectacular, and he may struggle. Bertimont has far too much to find to be considered a plausible winner.
Faugheen is short in the betting, but he’s already joint top-rated, despite yet being fully extended out of novice company. There’s no denying he has superstar potential, and today’s race is an ideal opportunity to showcase it.
