TRAINER Willie Mullins has reiterated his desire to run Faugheen in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November.

The 2015 champion hurdler has been absent since January 2016, but the brilliant nine-year-old is likely to return to the fray this autumn.

Mullins told the Irish Times: "It will probably be the Morgiana.

"That's the point we're aiming to start him off in.

"We had him fairly fit before he went out so I think he will be fairly forward by the time the Morgiana comes around."

Faugheen has won seven Grade 1s in a dazzling career, but a stress fracture has left him sidelined for 21 months.

His one defeat under Mullins' tutelage came in the 2015 Morgiana Hurdle, when he was defeated half a length by stablemate Nichols Canyon.

Mullins has yet to formulate a gameplan for Yorkhill, who features prominently in the betting for races like the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.

The seven-year-old has won at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and did really well to take top honours in the JLT Novices' Chase in March.

That was his fourth Grade One triumph, but plans for Yorkhill remain fluid at this stage.

Mullins said: "We haven't even started schooling him yet so whether he goes over hurdles or fences I don't know yet.

"He is in great form."