Nichols Canyon and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
< Faugheen took his career record to a perfect 10 out of 10 as he led all the way to add the Punchestown Champion Hurdle to his Cheltenham Festival spoils.
Sent off the 1-6 favourite for a race backed by the Queally Group Celebrating 35 Years In Naas, the Willie Mullins-trained superstar never put a foot wrong as he jumped well and travelled well in the hands of a confident Ruby Walsh.
Stablemate Arctic Fire tried hard to stay in touch and was second all the way, but Walsh kept an eye on him in the closing stages and Faugheen burst clear going to the last and on the run-in for an eight-length success in a repeat of the Champion Hurdle one-two.
On another great day for the Mullins-Walsh team, the Closutton yard scooped up the other Grade One event on the card when 4-5 favourite Nichols Canyon took the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle.
It was a fourth success at the top level this season for the Graham Wylie-owned five-year-old, who dictated matters from the outset and easily beat off a couple of threatening opponents as he pinged the last and powered seven lengths clear.
Mullins struck earlier when Blood Cotil (11-1), pulled up at Cheltenham, put that behind him with a ready strike in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase, moving smoothly up the inner under Paul Townend and stretching two and three-quarter lengths clear.
Luke Dempsey sent Mallards In Flight into the lead two out in the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase and Gavin Cromwell's charge (8-1) was soon in command as she raced clear to win by five lengths.
Nicky Henderson picked up a nice prize when Snake Eyes took the Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle in the JP McManus colours, brushing aside Tandem from the last to score by two and three-quarter lengths in the hands of Mark Walsh.
McManus was also on target when Enda Bolger's Cheltenham and Liverpool hero On The Fringe (4-11 favourite) completed the treble in the Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase, asserting going to the last and holding on by a length un
