Faugheen belies his inexperience
This performance by the imposing six-year-old didn’t half showcase the talents of the quite brilliant Mullins.
Faugheen had never run in a proper race over flights at home and had beaten second-rate rivals with any amount in hand.
Truth to tell it was virtually impossible to get a handle on his real worth heading to the Festival.
But punters had no doubt that this was a flying machine and they waded in, with Faugheen going off at what looked a very tight 6-4 shot.
It soon became apparent, however, that even those odds represented serious value.
Faugheen scored with any amount in hand, despite his well-publicised jumping failings surfacing near the end of the contest.
He jumped beautifully for the most part, but got it wrong four out and three out and was then untidy at the second last.
But such trivialities meant nothing to this cracking horse and he powered clear in the straight to win in a canter.
His record remains impeccable and he has never been beaten, in one point-to-point, a bumper and four times over hurdles.
Commented Mullins: “We weren’t sure about the quality of the races he had been winning, but he won them so easily and over different distances.
“He looks a real good one. When he blundered through the third last, I thought he might fall in a heap.
“But Ruby let him recover and I was more than surprised to see the horse pick up again. That showed his class and is the sign of a good horse.
“I thought what he did today was grand, but for me Vautour yesterday was hugely exciting. What he did blew me away.
“Faugheen will be staying over hurdles for the rest of the season, but we bought him as a chaser.
“I think, with his temperament, I’d prefer to send him chasing next season.’’
Walsh reported: “Willie said all along he had a lot under the bonnet and, when you ask, it will be there, and he was right. This was a smashing performance.”
Faugheen’s irrepressible owner, Rich Ricci, heaped praise on Mullins and Walsh, describing his trainer as “magic”.
