Mullins: Faugheen has made ‘extraordinary’ progress

Willie Mullins thinks Faugheen (pictured) has made "extraordinary" progress ahead of his latest big-race assignment in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Friday

When the attractive six-year-old was galloping through Somme-like conditions to win a novice hurdle over three miles at Limerick last Christmas, few would have expected him to be heading ante-posts lists for the Champion Hurdle 12 months on.

However, stunning displays at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring meant connections had to at least discuss heading down the Champion Hurdle route this term and he could not have been more impressive on his return at Ascot last month.