chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, improved into 2nd entering straight, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
made all, soon pressed, asserted entering straight, eased clear before last where mistake, shaken up briefly run-in, very easily
held up in 4th early, rear halfway, reminders after 4th, ridden next, no extra 3 out, weakened
raced 2nd and pressed leader, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no extra in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace
held up in rear early, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
Hurricane Fly won this for five consecutive years up to his retirement and FAUGHEEN can take up the mantle. The champion hurdler suffered a shock defeat by his stable companion Nichols Canyon in the Morgiana at Punchestown but had no problems making all in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and can gain his revenge. However, Nichols Canyon would be favourite for the Champion Hurdle but for his stablemate and gained his sixth Grade 1 victory in the Ryanair here last time. It wouldn't be a massive shock if he were to beat him again and he should finish in front of another Mullins star in Arctic Fire. Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up has been campaigned over further this season and failed to see out three miles here last time. Plinth has been a long way behind Nichols Canyon the last twice and along with King of The Picts looks outclassed.
Arctic Fire (GER) 5-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear, left 4th at 4th, pushed along and no impression approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in, 4th of 5, 11 1/2l behind Prince Of Scars (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Faugheen (IRE) 1-4fav (11-7) Made all, not fluent 3rd, quickened pace 2 out, clear next, impressive, won at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec beating The New One (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
King of The Picts (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along 4 out, no impression from next, soon no extra, last of 4, dist behind Outlander (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Nichols Canyon 2-5fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead before 4th, slight mistake and headed 2 out, ridden to challenge last, under pressure and led run-in, kept on well close home, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Identity Thief (11-10) by 2l, 4 ran.
Plinth (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, moderate 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
