Faugheen rout confirms Cheltenham form

Willie Mullins' star hurdler Faugheen confirmed the form of March's Champion Hurdle win when maintaining his eleven race unbeaten record in the Grade 1 Queally Group Celebrating 35 Years In Naas Punchestown Champion Hurdle at Punchestown today.

Ridden again by Ruby Walsh, 1/6 favourite Faugheen faced just three rivals but this season's Champion Jockey-elect would have had few moments of concern, making all the running before readily shaking off the challenge of Champion Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire int he home straight, for an eight lengths win.

Faugheen, whose debut win was in a point-to-point, was improving, winning-distance-wise, on his length and a half Cheltenham win for this his fifth Grade 1 win.

"€œThat was a good performance. Ruby didn't hang around and kept applying the pressure from the front. It was a gutsy ride," said Mullins.

"€œOn the book he had one horse to beat and that was Arctic Fire. He wasn't on the bridle at any stage though and when he's not on the bridle you know he's going some pace."

"Arctic Fire is a fair opponent and Ruby wasn't going to let him into it and use his speed. He was just afraid of Arctic Fire's speed and piled it on from the front to dampen his fire."

"€œFrom a mile out he started to apply it and I was wondering if he'd crack from so far out but he knew what he had underneath him."

"€œHis jumping is better going faster. €œHe's done it now in year one and we'll let him tell us how good he can be. Our Conor looked invincible when he won the Triumph but fate can go against you."

"€œI believe in him but he has to stand the test of time. He's very very good. We'll see now if the handicapper puts him past Hurricane Fly."

"€œI don't know if we'll travel back to England with him next season or stay at home. I'll have a word with the owner."

"€œWe know he can travel to England and back and it doesn't seem to take anything out of him. But maybe we'll stay at home and tackle the Irish horses."

"€œWhen I look at Douvan he says 'novice chaser' to me and that's obvious enough unless connections change my mind."€

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson