BOOKMAKERS CUT FAUGHEEN to 9/4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle on Saturday afternoon — nearly four months before the Cheltenham showpiece goes to post.
Willie Mullins’s latest two-mile star had his first run of the season in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot and was an impressive winner at short odds of 1/4.
The six-year-old won by three-and-three-quarter lengths from Blue Fashion with Lac Fontana in third.
It completed a treble on the day for Ruby Walsh who took the opening race on board Fletchers Flyer (11/10 Fav) before winning the Amlin 1965 Chase on Al Ferof for Paul Nicholls.
“He has ticked the first box,” Walsh said.
He has plenty of big questions to answer but the dream is alive.
Top rival The New One backed up his own credentials at Haydock when he ran away to win the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle.
The 1/3 favourite won by two-and-three-quarter lengths from Zamdy Man. Melodic Rendezvous was third.
Nigel Twiston Davis’s contender was cut from 4/1 to 7/2 for the Champion Hurdle afterwards.
Gold Cup hopeful Silviniaco Conti turned the tables on Cue Card to win the Grade 1 Betfair Chase.
The Paul Nicholls horse — who won the race in 2012 before finishing third to Cue Card last year — was sent off the 10/3 2Fav and found himself locked in a thrilling battle with Menorah over the last.
Noel Fehily drove him home to win by two lengths, with Dynaste a further eight lengths back in third and 3/1 favourite Cue Card fourth.
– First published 15.35
