"Faugheen this year to me is not IF but BY HOW FAR."

I think it depends on the tactics of other main contenders, if for example Jezki will follow the pace most likely set by Faugheen, and TNO connections said he'll also won't give too much rope to Faugheen, so if you have these 3 in front, one thing we know from previous attempts of following him(except Ascot when Faugheen set a moderate pace) is that Jezki and/or TNO will pay the price at the end and Faugheen will finish at least 10 lengths clear. The best strategy against him if he leads is to stay off the pace but not too far out and try to catch him in the last furlong or so and even then you'll be lucky to get within couple of lengths, but its your best chance of getting placed which is what Fly is most likely to do.

If Walsh/Townend will change the tactics and ride Faugheen from the back then Jezki's and TNO best chances is to steal the start and hope that they have enough stamina/speed to last up the hill but its a risky tactic as you expose your horse even worse to Faugheen's plenty reserves of stamina and speed so they have to judge it to perfection in order to only get beat by 1-2 lengths or maybe even win if Faugheen jumping lets him down at the last hurdles.

ive been reliably informed that the Samaritans will be putting extra call centre staff on duty from 3.25pm onwards, on Tuesday for disappointed faugheen fans

the Samaritans

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I don,t do the draw tim its win or lose here none of that e/w crap

oh and @alleged can I call the line if Faugheen disappointingly wins by only 2-3 legnths ?? I'll be terribly disappointed if that happens... to me it would be like getting beat so can I call those lines if that happens?

Ruby confirmed to ride Faugheen

Would not touch 5/4 with a bargepole.

A 7/4 one is even better

Out of all the short ones I prefer Faugheen more than the others.

This horse has shortened from 2.44 to 2.18 in the last day or two probably as Walsh has confirmed he will ride him. Plenty short enough given the fact he is now being fired into the deep end, I'd expect him to go off around 5/4 - 11/8. May even be a bit of 6/4 in bookies promotions around on the morning but stakes probably restricted. Of the short ones he is the one with the most to prove as he is stepping way up in class.

"Faugheen this year to me is not IF but BY HOW FAR."

I think it depends on the tactics of other main contenders, if for example Jezki will follow the pace most likely set by Faugheen, and TNO connections said he'll also won't give too much rope to Faugheen, so if you have these 3 in front, one thing we know from previous attempts of following him(except Ascot when Faugheen set a moderate pace) is that Jezki and/or TNO will pay the price at the end and Faugheen will finish at least 10 lengths clear. The best strategy against him if he leads is to stay off the pace but not too far out and try to catch him in the last furlong or so and even then you'll be lucky to get within couple of lengths, but its your best chance of getting placed which is what Fly is most likely to do.

If Walsh/Townend will change the tactics and ride Faugheen from the back then Jezki's and TNO best chances is to steal the start and hope that they have enough stamina/speed to last up the hill but its a risky tactic as you expose your horse even worse to Faugheen's plenty reserves of stamina and speed so they have to judge it to perfection in order to only get beat by 1-2 lengths or maybe even win if Faugheen jumping lets him down at the last hurdles.


Faugheen disappointingly wins by only 2-3 legnths ?? I'll be terribly disappointed if that happens

I have to admit I'm disappointed of AF proximity...... but that may have been because Ruby didn't administered any smacks after the last....

Well done lads. Hype justified.

Well those of us who were waiting before hailing Faugheen need wait no longer.

Well done to those who have been belivers all along,hope most of you had nice odds for him.

Looking at last years horses its clear hes a lot better,with only 1 horse getting near him and he did not run in the race last year and has improved immensely.

We have a good champion and be interesting to see what challengers come out of the woodwork.

They'll definitely keep Faugheen hurdling now, especially as they have plenty of chase options ... Personally I think douvan will aim for arkle.

I wasn't a faugheen believer ahead of the Neptune last year but after that race I got him at 33-1 for this year's churdle

just out of interest, they were talking to Dermot Weld about the possibility of Windsor Park going for the Ascot GC and he is currently about 3rd/4th in the betting... which got me thinking, what would Faugheen (or even UDS or Vautour) do in a Ascot GC..??

Think the obstacles are rather an inconvenience for Faugheen, only need to look at his bumper to see how impressive he was, Racing Post: "As racecourse debuts go, they don´t get much more impressive than this one. It was extremely easy on the eye and the manner in which he devoured the ground inside the final furlong suggests we´ll still be talking about him this time next year. The three who followed him home were all newcomers, so only time will tell what the form amounts to."

Josses Hill went on 2nd in the Supreme so that piece of form tells us everything about how much Faugheen hates obstacles, thats why Mullins wanted to send him chasing so that he'll start respecting them more so he can jump better. Unfortunately he remained over hurdles and still wants to take them home in almost every race so he won't ever achieve his highest potential if they won't fix the issue, over flat might do better but R. Ricci only loves jumps racing so even though Royal Ascot is the biggest horse racing stage of the world he'll never send his horses there.

They don't need to spoil the horse by sending it flat racing,this horse could be as good as istabraq,maybe 1 more run then put away until the autumn,it will only get better jumping hurdles and will take a monster to beat him next year !

Great performance obviously, but I thought he looked absolutely knocked after the race and on the walk in to the winners enclosure. Looked like he had had a very hard race to me, and would be wary of backing him next time.

Can't see them doing it, but would be delighted to see him put his feet up from here and be fresh for next season.

He got a cut in the race CCM, could have had an effect.

Ruby gave him a great ride btw. He set a slow/steady pace for the first half and then kicked on to sprint finish. He knew Fly and Jezki couldn't beat him if he did that, and was confident Faugheen was quicker than TNO. I'm amazed JP didn't run a pace maker.

I personally can only see the Triumph ones being a danger to Faugheen next year, and possibly MTOY if back and fit, and staying over hurdles.

Windsor Park looks a stayer to me, as does Vyta Du Roc, and Nichols Canyon could well go the World Hurdle route.  I wouldn't take much from the Supreme for next year's Champion Hurdle.

The big danger could be Annie Power, but.......I'll leave that debate for another day!!!!