QUEALLY GROUP

PUNCHESTOWN

CHAMPION

HURDLE (GRADE 1)

AS expected Faugheen brought a brilliant season to a fitting close as he towered above his rivals in the Queally Group Celebrating 35 Years In Naas Punchestown Champion Hurdle with a display that amply showcased his many tremendous qualities.

Undefeated coming into this race, the reigning champion hurdler faced just three rivals but one of those was stablemate Arctic Fire who had caught the eye with his strong finishing second plac at Cheltenham.

Once again though Faugheen was in a league of his own as he dominated the race from the outset with a controlled display that featured a magnificently accurate and efficient round of jumping.

Just as he did at Cheltenham, Ruby Walsh sent Faugheen straight to the front and for much of the race the 1/6 favourite maintained a lead of two to three lengths over Arctic Fire.

With three to jump the Susannah Ricci-owned gelding extended his lead slightly but his stablemate had closed up again by the time they reached the next.

Once he was asked to assert rounding the final bend Faugheen picked up in some style. He was firmly in command by the time he reached the last and he maintained a relentless tempo to carry the day by eight lengths. There was a further eight and a half lengths back to Dell’Arca while Tiger Roll finished at the rear of the field.

“That was a great performance and Ruby gave him a gutsy ride. Ruby was afraid of Arctic Fire’s speed so he kept applying the pressure all the way and that meant Paul’s horse (Arctic Fire) just couldn’t get into it,” said Mullins.

“He went a really good gallop, he always jumps better off a good gallop, and Arctic Fire is usually hard on the bridle so when I saw Paul riding him with a loose rein I knew that was a sign of how quick they were going.

“From a mile out Faugheen was applying the pressure and I was wondering if he’d crack but Ruby knew what he had underneath him. In terms of next season I’m not sure what we will do. We know that he can travel and maybe he can go to England for the races he won this season but we might also keep him at home against the Irish hurdlers but we’ll see.”

This victory pushed Mullins to within one of his 13 winner record for the meeting and he added: “It’s been a fantastic week. It’s all gone so well and it’s great to see Paul, Ruby, Patrick and Danny all riding winners and riding so well.”

After Ruby Walsh paid tribute to his mount’s efforts, saying: “We went some gallop and he then quickened up as well as I needed him to. He’s not the biggest horse but he’s got speed, stamina, he jumps and goes on any ground over any trip. He’s just a cracking horse. Very good horses are uncomplicated and that’s what he is.”

Paul Townend, who rode the second, remarked: “It was an unbelievable performance from Faugheen. I was probably in trouble leaving the backstraight.

“I have run my race but the winner is an extremely good horse. They way he has left me turning in was exceptional.”