Faugheen on the drift ...

dont no why such high profile trainer and owner cant just give a wee update on best hurdler we have seen for years just total disregard for the racing public.

it would at least help to know he has all four legs still in place. It has been radio silence on many of the stars this year.

Paddy now have Faugheen out at 5/2 to win the Christmas Hurdle, think that just about says it all.

except they have him a shade of odds on for Leopardstown's Ryanair Hurdle so what it actually says is they think he's staying in Ireland for Christmas

Except that they've actually pushed him out to 10/11 from 4/6 for the Ryanair Hurdle on the 29th.

Personally don't think we will see either Faugheen or Annie Power this side of 2017.

I wonder if we will see either much b4 2018 ???

They have probably both been dead for months tbh...the lack of communication from the yard is a farce

Dec 16, 2016 -- 1:39PM, Workforce wrote:

They have probably both been dead for months tbh...the lack of communication from the yard is a farce

well, truthful communication at any rate.

Ricci's not been on telly for a while. Expect the ego to land soon, spouting all manner of cobblers.

Cant see him running at xmas. Nicholls Canyon good odds to win 2 miler if bet struck at 11/4 and Faugheen a no-show. Champion Hurdle AntePost market is a mess.

Be nice to have an update on Arctic Fire too (unless I've missed something?)

...although if you're willing to gamble that Faugheen and Annie won't run, there are some big prices about the other runners.  Outside of Yanworth, everything else is 20+ on here - the market could look drastically different in a month's time.

The way it is going and the lack of depth, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pipe's threw in Moon Racer; they said after his last win he'd have an entry.

Wellchief.....Arctic Fire, Not back out till second half of the season, and undecided over Hurdles or Fences

What's everyone's thoughts on long shots showing at 20/1+ that could collapse in price if Annie, Faugheen etc don't make it to the race?

Apparently decision to made in the next 24-48 hours regarding Faugheen's participation in the Christmas Hurdle.

I heard it was going to be made at some point in the next week.

Not declared in Christmas Hurdle

Ruby fairly cagey on Racing UK but did say he sat on Faugheen yesterday and he felt 'a million dollars' - WPM just felt not ready to go to England at this stage. Talked about him having an entry at Leopardstown but did n't exactly fill me with confidence that he'll run there - but more likely he runs there than Annie Power and very unlikely that both of them will run.

Don't shoot the messenger!

I do not think we'll see Faugheen and/or Annie Power here until the Festival, if at all - they are too fragile to cross the water.

Writing in his Racing UK blog on Wednesday, Walsh said: "He's grand, not a bother on him. I'd imagine he's in the Ryanair Hurdle in Leopardstown on the 29th. I don't know if he will run there but it won't be too long until you see him.

"I rode him yesterday and he's fresh and well. He looks a million dollars. Does he retain all his ability? Oh God, he does. I would not be too worried about him."

with the drivel (lies) that usually comes out of Ruby's mouth that could mean the horse won't be seen all season

Wellchief.....Arctic Fire, Not back out till second half of the season, and undecided over Hurdles or Fences

Thanks a lot Fabulous.  I might have a little flutter at long odds for the Champion Hurdle then.  Can't see them beginning a novice chase campaign this let in the season, and he has gotten nearer to Faugheen than anything else (the Nichols Canyon race excluded).

All depends how bad his injury was, and how well he's recovered, but he was 7/2 for the race after Faugheen's withdrawal, and he was initially only out for 12 weeks, so I'll take the risk for small stakes that he'll be lining up this year.

Faugheen (2/1) has been replaced by Nichols Canyon (4/6) as fav for the Ryanair Hurdle on 28th Dec despite upbeat soundings from his jockey and trainer very recently.

My opinion is that Faughen will re-appear late January for Irish c.hurdle. I also think he will win come March. 11/4 might look big then.

Paddy seem to think Faugheen CH, Annie Mares

Presumably if Nichols Canyon runs in Ryanair Hurdle, instead of the 3 miler, the day before, they're not convinced of the World Hurdle for him?
Shame, would love to have seen him go further. Always had the gut feel that he had somewhat more to offer.

I think you could well have a point.
Nichols Canyon was withdrawn from the Long Walk at Ascot; he was also a beaten a fav in the Neptune in 2015.
Vroum Vroum Mag is the fav for the Squared Financial and could be the connections new possibility for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.

However, he did win his next 4 after the Neptune, twice over 2m4 and then beat Faugheen. Guess he has the ability, if he's not too free and he jumps better. Authorised's can be a touch in and out.

Looking back Nichols Canyon (NC) did run a bit free in the Neptune; Faugheen ran his Morgiana at (home) when NC beat him. Nevertheless, I believe NC is more effective between 16/20f as a result of his exuberance in running.

"I'm hoping Faugheen will be back for the Irish Champion Hurdle. I don't want people to worry, he is in very good form." - Rich Ricci earlier today.

Ricci: "He got a stone bruise and then it got inflamed. I'd be hopeful of the Irish Champion. I'm hoping we see him on the 29th, and I'm hopeful that we will."

Not very positive and/or definitive.

I'd not back Faugheen antepost until the day of the race, and even then I'd not take a skinny price given his long absence.

Petit Mouchoir is heading to the Irish Champion after an impressive performance today. Will connections pitch Faugheen for the same race now?

They've nowhere else to go if they want a 2m before march. No way they would avoid petit anyway. He's not in the same league as Faugheen.

I hope Faugheen turns up to reflect his well-being but I'd not be so sure about him beating Petit Mouchoir 1st time out after over 12 months thro' injury, why? Petit Mouchoir was very impressive today; he is also only 6yr old and an improving youngster who'd probably have won the Fighting 5th had he not fallen; the 2nd in that race, Apple's Jade, franked the form by winning a Gp1 next time, and the 2nd to Apple's Jade, Vroum Vroum Mag, won another Gp1 yesterday.

Faugheen could go straight to Cheltenham, but will it be the Champion Hurdle or Stayers? Or could he be retired with Yorkhill (jumping right on his chase debut) taking his place, if so?  Oh, must not forget Annie Power...where next for her?

Petit Mouchoir was impressive but he's basically this season's Identity Thief. Nichols Canyon probably struggled on the better ground as he usually does.

There's no chance Faugheen runs in the Stayers Hurdle in my opinion. The question with him is if he'll make it to Cheltenham and if the injury has had any effect on him.

Now Annie drifting like a barge

I'd be discounting both Faugheen and Annie Power for the CH at this stage given that their planned comebacks have now been deferred a couple of times and in the case of Faugheen it is almost a full calendar year since he was seen after suffering a fairly serious injury. I just don't like how connections are being economical with the truth about their well being.

What price either Faugheen or Annie Power retiring prior to Cheltenham? Shorter than either of them running in it I'd imagine.

I'm guessing annie might go straight to the mares. AP mares, Faugheen CH and VVM WH might be worth a quid to anyone.

I think the World Hurdle could be off the agenda for Vroum Vroum Mag. She looked to be hanging on the other day. She probably doesn't stay well enough at that level in my opinion.

Annie Power might head straight to Cheltenham like last year. She apparently worked badly in November but no news since. No surprise if they follow the same light campaign as last year - it served them well then.

It's worrying that Faugheen has missed a number of engagements.I think whichever of Faugheen or Annie Power show up, the race is theirs. It's a weak race outside the Ricci owned pair.

13/8 VVM to run in the mares was a steal with PP not sure if it still on but some bet that

annie didnt go strasight to champ last year she had a run in feb.

If they are all fit and well, I think the plan is Faugheen CH, Annie Power Mares and VVM World Hurdle.

That makes sense but I have similar reservations to SoYouThink about VVM in the Stayers hurdle. Can see Unowwhatimeanharry outstaying her in a similar manner to More Of That vs Annie Power a few years back.

Having said that, outside of those two the Stayers Hurdle does n't look like being the strongest renewal at the moment so she's well entitled to have a go. Ricci always mentions the Ryanair for her and I could see that suiting better but no indications she's going to prep over fences which she'd surely need to.

I agree. But VVM appears to be their Super Sub. Assuming Faugheen is ok and going for the CH, and AP likewise and going for the Mares, where else would you try VVM? I think it makes sense to keep her over Hurdles so she could potentially be a back up plan to the two above, switching continually between fences and hurdles can't do them any good imo.

Annie mares Faugheen champion & VVM World for me. Any of the two mentioned don't make there intended targets VVM steps in

wp said vvm was v keen for the first time in her life in the race possibly leading to her looking to not stay the 3miles ..id say by festival time if they are running vvm in the wh she will be well sorted for relaxing etc..possibly taking over the lead after the last!!

Faugheen Champion Hurdle - Winner 5/2 
Annie Power Mares Hurdle - Winner 7/2 
Unowhatimeanharry Stayers Hurdle - Winner 5/2

OKoral 54/1

Just done that same treble after reading the news on F and AP on atr website. Both to get an entry in Irish, will be F's last chance of a run before the churdle and AP has a mares race a couple weeks later.

I know it's Mullin's, but i see know reason why he would say such a thing if it wasn't true. Prices have been pretty stable on here for weeks now, they def wouldn't be if there was a hint all was not well and he was just updating the press cos people need something to read

Anyways i did it with a view to laying it off one at a time and if F and Ap wins those races i will have already backed a few ew against unowhatimeanharry anyways. Way i see it is if Faugheen entered hes cut to 2/1, declared 7/4 and wins the irish churdle hes 6/5, same can be said about Ap.

Amazed Hills are holding out  its this 4/1 about Annie for the Mares Hurdle!

Keep topping up.. and with the double on Faugheen for the Champion at 14/1

neill d  • January 6, 2017 12:31 AM GMT 
I'd say they'll say they'll target her at the mares hurdle & Willie will justify it by saying 'it would be an unfair question to put to her to run her in a Champion Hurdle off the worst preparation she has ever had'. they'll spin it that this is the worst run-in to a big race Annie has ever had!

They'll say that that will leave her spot on to defend the Aintree Hurdle which will be a stroll in the park for her.
Faugheen waltzes to the Irish Champion, English Champion and Punchestwon Champion hurdles.
This way they never have to meet, one provides the other with the toughest race, I can see why Ricci will keep them apart.
I'd be surprised if they don't do this.

neill d  • January 6, 2017 12:34 AM GMT 
Either of them would be a moral in the French Champion Hurdle, I wonder if the money hungry side of Ruby would push Faugheen forward for it after a such 'light' campaign. champion Hurdler in 3 countries would catch the public imagination even though they don't mean the same thing.

Interesting thought ?

Patrick Mullins' comments in Irish Independent are worth a read (link below):

http://www.independent.ie/sport/horse-racing/faugheen-and-annie-power-still-to-hit-top-form-mullins-35345516.html

Difficult to reconcile them with Ruby's bulletin about Faugheen over Christmas

And Mullin's senior on the atr website

Though i now know why someone laid 3.55 to 3.8 (which was approx £200s worth) shortly after 9am this morning. I was scratching my head a little bit as to why after RW's comments and then ATR this morning but now it seems that person has read this and not the other articles, either that or it's a mole and their filling their boots as what invariably happens every ante-post market

Sorry that should have been

And Mullin's senior on the atr website* *[says the complete opposite]

Faugheen will not be seen at Cheltenham.

My source (admittedly) 2nd hand is unproven. The guy that told me does not lie.

I don't ramp, but it remains a shame if connections cannot be more forthcoming.

Saxon. How can anyone know Faugheen won't be seen at Cheltenham when it's 9 weeks away? I'd very much doubt he's injured and it's already known to connections, but they are stringing everyone along.

I could buy the fact that they aren't impressed with him yet, and hence he's doubtful, but nobody can call something like that with such certainty this far out.

And now the market is suspended

Entry stage

Thats not till the 17th stevo1

Gold Cup Champion Chase and Ryanair also suspended?

Fook me, he wasn't in them too was he

Four different days - perhaps he'll run in all four.

I repeat Faugheen will not be seen at Cheltenham in March.

Except for when he bolts up in the Irish Champion next weekend and wins the Champion Hurdle in March?

Anyone else of the opinion that Jezski would cause Faugheen more problems in the Champion Hurdle than the co-owned Yanworth?

Well he was stuffed by Faugheen in the CH,had fitness problems since and just come out and beat Renetti receiving 6lb.
Its possible, but for me I would expect Yanworth to make more of a challenge.