Another day and another Willie Mullins 1-2.
Racing fans at Leopardstown were treated to an absolute masterclass as Faugheen blitzed the five horse field to take the big feature at Leopardstown this afternoon, the Champion Hurdle.
The Ruby-Walsh mount led from the front and eased his way around the track in a performance that his trainer Willie Mullins described as his best ever.
The Closutton based trainer told RTE afterwards that he was hugely pleased by the horses performance,
“I’ve never seen the horse jump as well, and he away any doubts we had around him.”
His stable mate Arctic Fire came home second, 15 lengths behind the star-mount, and ‘The Machine’ is well set for a major tilt at Cheltenham in around 8 weeks time.
#Faugheen wins the Irish Champion Hurdle. Could well be the first of many. Emphatic. https://t.co/3pCoYwIUVJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 24, 2016
The reaction from racing fans online was one of pure admiration
Based on that it could be Faugheen Festival Friday at Punchestown in @BETDAQ champion hurdle. "That was fantastic" @WilliePMullins
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) January 24, 2016
I take it Faugheen ran well!!!!
— Liam Aherne (@laherne84) January 24, 2016
Faugheen 'the machine' returns triumphant. Different class. pic.twitter.com/E5z3hM7uQE
— Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) January 24, 2016
Ah, feck it,I won't! #Faugheen – pure class
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) January 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrennanP74/status/691279965258698752
Earlier in the day Ruby Walsh cruised to victory on board Douvan in the Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
He was hardly troubled as he cantered home to win by 15 lengths, Douvan surged effortlessly clear to win as he from Velvet Maker with Doomsday Book third.
