Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
Grade 1, Punchestown Race Value: €90,000 5yo plus 2m, Class1
Tuesday 29th April 2014

1 Faugheen 1/2F
2 Valseur Lido 9/1
3 Sgt Reckless 8/1
8 ran Distances: 12l, 1¼l, ½l
TIME 3m 57.60s (slow by 11.60s)

Faugheen maintained his unbeaten record in devastating fashion at Punchestown today when justifying 1/2 favouritism to win the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle by 12 lengths eased down.

Faugheen
© Caroline Norris

The six-year-old, who won the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs, was dropping back in trip to two miles but that proved no inconvenience.

"We were going to run Vautour in this but he failed a late fitness test at declaration time and we were happy enough that this fellow could take his place. Hopefully, Vautour should be fine to run on Friday [Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle]," said trainer Willie Mullins. "It was a very good effort running on that ground, considering that he had been running on heavy all winter - particularly when he won at Limerick (3m).

"It was a fair performance to win like that stepping back in trip and I think he might stick to hurdling next season. When we bought him we thought he would be a chaser but after this hurdling could be his forte. We'll see what happens at this meeting, evaluate what else we have in the yard and decide over the summer. The only reason he didn't go over two miles over the winter was that we had enough other horses for that distance and he stayed. Now we know he goes on this ground as well."

Ruby Walsh, who returned from injury at the weekend, was in the saddle and Mullins added: "Ruby said at Cheltenham that his aim was to get back for this meeting and he generally does what he says he is going to. He looks as good as ever."

Rich Ricci, whose wife Susannah owns Faugheen, added: "That's a very good way to start the Festival. He beat some good horses today and I thought he jumped better than he did at Cheltenham, which was encouraging. He's a contender to be a Champion Hurdle horse on that performance so we have some thinking to do over the summer. This is a fantastic week. There is a lot of pressure at Cheltenham but you get a lot of attention that is well-meant here. It is a great meeting and we are here for the week."

Ruby Walsh added: "John who rides him the whole time said to me yesterday 'he will you blow you away' and he did. I was fairly adamant that the run in Cheltenham would improve him a hell of a lot jumping-wise. He had very little experience in the three soft races he had before Cheltenham. He jumped like a buck today. When I opened him up in the straight, oh my God - away with him!

"It was a fair gamble dropping back to two miles so I'd say that will have Willie scratching his head now. Patrick Mullins was always saying he is as good a bumper horse he has ever ridden and he is right. A P (McCoy) said when we pulled up he is some novice and he is. We have to have a debate about what to do with three or four of them next season but you would think the Champion Hurdle would have to be in the mix."

After winning in hugely impressive style, Faugheen was immediately slashed to 5-1 joint-favourite for the 2015 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
€90000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

Past Results: