SUPASUNDAE proved too strong for Faugheen as he won the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen had plenty to prove following his Christmas eclipse at this track and for a long way it looked as though he might return to form in a blaze of glory in the two-mile feature.

However, after being closely tracked by the Jessica Harrington-trained winner throughout, Faugheen ultimately had no answer as Robbie Power kicked after the last and Supasundae (8/1) powered home to get the better of the 9/10 favourite. Mick Jazz was third.

Harrington said: "He's never jumped as well before, he jumped absolutely super and was always travelling. I thought they'd go too quick for him over two miles and Robert was sure when he had Faugheen in his sights at the last he would stay every inch of the way, and he did.

"When he got to the front he was only pricking his ears and galloping away. I came here to give him a prep run for the three-mile hurdle at Cheltenham and to win this is some prep run!"

She went on: "He's only in the three-mile hurdle at Cheltenham, so that's where he'll be going. He is a much better horse on better ground, he does not like slogging around in very muddy ground and that's why he comes into his own in the spring.

"When he won his bumper, he beat Yanworth and I think he started favourite for the Cheltenham bumper and he is by Galileo so somewhere in there is a turn of foot."

Supasundae runs in the colours of the late Ann and Alan Potts, and Harrington said: "It's really sad that neither Ann nor Alan are here to see the fruits of what they started, particularly as the horse is starting to fulfil his true potential and it's just so sad that neither of them are here."

Willie Mullins admitted Faugheen didn't have his usual 'spark' today but he remains hopeful that the horse will recapture his best form in the spring.

Mullins said: "I was disappointed with him. He's sort of half back on track, but he'll have to improve a lot to be back where he was. I was actually very happy where he was coming round the last bend, but by the time they lined up for the last, the writing was on the wall. I was hoping at that stage he might pull something else out, but it wasn't to be.

"I'm just hoping spring ground, spring air and spring sunshine might rejuvenate him, but there's just no spark there, I think."

Rich Ricci added: "Faugheen is 10, after all. He ran well, just didn't win, whatever the reason I don't know. He was better than the last day - but no real answers."

Gordon Elliott was thrilled by the performance of Mick Jazz and is now planning to head to Cheltenham before casting his net further afield.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with that, couldn't be happier. He'll go for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and then the American Grand National."

Faugheen's stablemate Melon could finish only fifth, and jockey David Mullins said: "I don't know what to make of that run really."

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