What did today tell us that we didn't already know ? (apart from his well being)

Yes he's a machine and there is no doubt at all that Ruby will ride him in March but it's all about prices and 9/4 is not value this far out when he hasn't really jumped at championship speed over 2 miles yet ??

Champion Hurdle doesn't look as competitive this year with three clear form horses,the defending champion continues to be underestimated to an extent and will be trained to peak in March for his third consecutive festival win,seems to be a spring horse also. Very difficult not to see Jezki in the frame and more juice in his price. (6/1 EW)

just to add, i think less of mullins campaigning horses over odd trips than anyone else.

TNO simply isn't fast enough imo so the only real danger to Fuagheen is Jezki now that MTOY is ruled out. 5/2 isn't that bad a price but if I could be sure Gerraghty was going to be on board Jezki I'd be lumping on e/w at 6/1 but with McCoy likely to be on board I will leave him.

Paterson92

What certainly wouldn't be my type of bet is winning distance markets,and then to exacerbate it distance markets with four variables and a 125% O/R ?
Did you get stuck into Faugheen to win by 8 lengths or more today at 7/4 as you suggested on the main forum?

Anyone with half a brain (to borrow your phrase) does not punt in the above markets.

Comparison with Oscar Whiskey is as baffling as it is wide of the mark. This beast is in a different league to OW imo, based on not much more than just visual impression, but I don't think I've seen a horse hit two crucial flights in a Festival race and be hard on the snaff after both, then brutalize good horses over the minimum trip at Punchestown by simply being far too quick for them. He'll be a monster in a CH. Similar to Kauto Star, I think Faugheen can be  that rare blend of top class at both 2m and in time, 3m.

completely agree joist

Lets hope they grow some and take on The New One next month at Cheltenham, but im sure they wont which would be a shame.

Kempton is the logical choice because 1. If they don't run there, they won't have competed in a G1 before Cheltenham (assuming the plan is to keep him and Hurricane Fly apart) and 2. What else runs there? TNO must be 50/50 with the Bula Hurdle less than 2 weeks before.

I reckon Annie Power is more likely to stay in Ireland for the Hatton's Grace. I agree more races than horses.

By the way, I didn't mean to be rude, Sint. I think it's as you say - that Faugheen is superior and so doesn't have that same quandary regarding trip, because IMO he looks like a top class 2m prospect whose class saw him win over 3m in Limerick. Let's not forget how well trod the path is by great 2m hurdlers from the Neptune!

It's going to be one of the real fascinations of the season, seeing how Faugheen develops and whether he does cut it as a Champion Hurdler. I've rarely been so bullish on a punt for the Festival at this stage, but those tend to be the most likely ones to end in tears for me

dj876 thanks for taking a keen interest in what I do, but for your information I did not place a single bet yesterday. I'll admit, the Coral offer of 6+ lengths was appealing but when I saw the ground it was a no brainer really.

SoYouThink everyone is entitled to their opinion but rather than looking at the history book, from the forecasted lineup for the race in March, which horse outwith the top 3 in the betting could potentially be a threat? After Faugheen, The New One and Jezki we have Hurricane Fly - unlikely to compete in the Champion Hurdle again, as much as I would like to see that. Next you have Annie Power - staying hurdling but looks as though she's a certainty for the Mares Hurdle, hope I'm wrong as I would like to see her elsewhere. Next we have Vaniteux - the only horse outwith the top 3 in the market I like here, has good form to back it up and will be better for that run last week and on better ground, I've actually had a few quid each way on him at 33/1. Next we have Sign Of A Victory - won going away last time but what has he beaten? Henderson said it himself it's Vaniteux or nothing for the Champion Hurdle. Next we have Irving - people making too many excuses for him it seems. Fair enough he came back not right after the Supreme but that last run didn't suggest to me he is Champion Hurdle material. Again, he may have needed the run and better ground but has a lot of proving to do between now and March. Next we have Josses Hill - almost certain to go chasing. Then we have the likes of Zamdy Man, Tiger Roll, Garde La Victoire, Analifet etc - wouldn't be backing any of those personally but each to their own. Vaniteux is the only horse outwith the top 3 I would see as a potential danger - and hopefully come March history doesn't repeat itself eh?

"Bad placement from trainer" was the reply to that one I'm sure, willie the milk.

It does seem a strange move now that we are looking back on it and no I can't from the top of my head remember the last Champion Hurdler to do so. However, as he was a novice and had such a strong novice division Willie perhaps wanted to assess all options before making a decision on their future? Think it's irrelevant to what he may being aimed at now but at least we know he stays 3 miles+ should he ever decide to go chasing with him in the future ...

Certainly won't be receiving any abuse from me Wellchief, it's a more than valid point you make. Unfortunately, Willie Mullins does not dive in too early and run against the big guns. There is no doubt Faugheen has been visually impressive so far, he's done everything asked of him so far and in my opinion, still improving. Let's not forget The New One and Jezki had to start somewhere as well, albeit they ran into arguably better horses long before Faugheen will, but that's just the way Willie plays his cards.

I assume Faugheen will have one more run this side of Christmas before meeting Jezki at Leopardstown in January. If he beats Jezki and beats him well, surely people will start to believe?

Yep, totally agree that he can only beat whose put in front of him, and if you read through this thread last year I was very keen in him in the Neptune.

I have no doubt he will a force in the Champion but even when the Fly was in his peak, I don't ever remember him being this short at this stage, and Faugheen hasn't had anywhere near the same level of performance.

Will be a small bet on the day for me (apart from my Vaniteaux and Irving bets, if which I've pretty much written off the latter).

I also believe prices of horses such as Allez Columbieres at 10/1 is laughable. How can they justify a price like that on a horse thats never stepped foot on an English or Irish racecourse never mind junped a hurdle. But again, that's just the way the industry is going. It's also to prevent another "Mullins accumulator" year where potentially there could be several multiples awaiting Faugheen's run in the Champion Hurdle.

What price I want and what price I expect are two different things. Should someone wish to wait until he makes his hurdle debut we are looking at 5/1 and shorter. Not the best example but Annie Power was still 10/1 for the Champion Hurdle after she had just beaten an Aintree Hurdle winner in the Coral Hurdle. People have different views and opinions on what they see as value and like yourself, are entitled to their opinion.

Of course they take cover, they're not willing to take any risks and it's just getting progressively worse. Ante post betting is a joke these days unfortunately.

faugheen negotiates his hurdles without really benefitting from them

That is the best description of Faugheen's hurdling that you will ever read.

Probably the Deloitte I'd say.