Faugheen leads Empire Of Dirt over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Faugheen maintained his unbeaten record in the style you would expect of a 1/9 shot when coming home under a tight rein in the two and a half miles Meath Novice.
Completing a quick-fire treble in the opening three races on the card at Navan for champion trainer Willie Mullins, and a double for Ruby Walsh, the Germany gelding has now won a point-to-point, bumper and two hurdles all in commanding fashion.
Walsh’s mount took over from the front-running Empire Of Dirt before the final flight, and the five-year-old appeared full of running as he cruised four and a quarter lengths clear at the line. The Winkler was a further five lengths back in third.
Faugheen now looks set for a step up in class, and he looks well up to the standard of Graded performers Dedigout and Rule The World - the previous two winners of this race.
Boylesports were most impressed making him their 7/1 favourite (from 10’s) for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Paddy Power left him unchanged at 12/1.
Patrick Mullins said, “Ruby said he’ll be better with more jumping as he was a little untidy but he has a huge engine. He could go up or down in trip and is probably one for Christmas. Hopefully he’ll be a Cheltenham horse in time and all his form is working out well.”
Walsh said, “His jumping was better today but there is still room for improvement. He’s done very little racing and Willie was keen to give him another run in a winners race rather than go for one of the top class races. He’s entitled to take his chance in the big time now.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
