Faugheen firmly back on Champion Hurdle track

After a stuttering start to the season, in which he lost his unbeaten record, Faugheen is firmly back on track to defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham.

A smooth success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton restored some confidence but, at a well-attended Leopardstown yesterday afternoon, trainer Willie Mullins admitted the gelding “just blew away any doubts we had” with a scintillating display in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle.

Prohibitively short in the betting to account for stable companions Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire and two rank outsiders, he was immediately sent to the front by Ruby Walsh.