WILLIE Mullins will not rush into a decision on the future of Faugheen after the former Champion Hurdle hero was pulled up in the Betway Aintree Hurdle on day one of the Grand National meeting.

The 11-year-old – who was an excellent third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month – was soon in trouble in the Grade 1 contest.

Ruby Walsh took the decision to pull him up once he realised the Rich Ricci-owned gelding was not himself, and a post-race examination later determined he was suffering with a fibrillating heart.

Mullins said: “I was told be the vets he had a fibrillating heart. We will get him home and that could clear up in 24 hours.

“Ruby said he flew down to the start and it was like someone then turning off a light switch.

“He said from when he went down and looked at the first hurdle, everything was fine, then it was as if someone switched off the light switch.

“He knew coming past the winning post he wasn’t going anywhere, so he pulled him up. Hopefully he will be all right.”

IMPORTANT

Speaking immediately after the race and before news of the examination emerged, Ricci said: “We will see what happens the next day. Maybe something will turn up, but the horse is grand, that is the important thing.

“Ruby (Walsh) said he didn’t seem to be himself. I know he lost his position there coming round the bend. I thought it was a very winnable race today, unfortunately for whatever reason he didn’t bring his A-game.

“Maybe we will find something out when he is scoped and looked at.

“He has been such a wonderful horse and Ruby did the right thing pulling him up. Punchestown is only three weeks away and if he is all right we would want to give him one more run for his Irish fans, but we will have to see.

“He is a horse that unfortunately has been robbed of some of his best years through injury, but you can’t complain about it.

“He has been a wonderful horse and he tries his heart out, I’m just glad he is okay.”

COLLECT £30/€30 IN FREE BETS HERE