Mullins says no issue with Faugheen as punters desert him for stablemate Melon

Punters are not prepared to forgive Faugheen his Christmas flop and have turned to his stablemate Melon instead for Saturday's BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

That was the message from bookmakers as the drift accelerated on the 2016 winner, who was 4-5 at the weekend but as big as 7-4 on Tuesday to beat eight possible rivals, although his trainer Willie Mullins reiterated the ten-year-old was ready to run.

One of those taking him on could be Samcro after Gordon Elliott left his crack novice hurdler in the race in order to keep all options open over the weekend for his unbeaten star, who could show up in any of three Grade 1s at Leopardstown this weekend.

Melon, third to habitual Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours in the International at Cheltenham before Christmas, was on Tuesday disputing favouritism at 7-4 from 11-4 with Coral.

Melon: disputing favouritism with stablemate FaugheenCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

However, Willie Mullins yesterday reported Faugheen on course to tackle Saturday's Grade 1 event which he won two years ago. "All is good with Faugheen and the plan is to run him, Melon and Bapaume in Saturday's big race."

Mullins has been successful in the race on six occasions with Faugheen's win in 2016 following Hurricane Fly's run of five consecutive victories (2011-2015) in the event.

David Stevens, of Coral, said: "Faugheen has been friendless in the market this week with punters not yet ready to forgive him. There's every chance that his younger stablemate Melon could start favourite for Saturday's race."

Ladbrokes on Tuesday kept Faugheen favourite at 13-8 but the firm's Nicola McGeady said: "We are playing a bit of a guessing game. We made Faugheen even money when we thought he was running but with strong support coming for Melon and Defi Du Seuil, we’re not so sure now and have pushed his price out."

Defi De Seuil, last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, is another out to restore his reputation and the JP McManus-owned five-year-old is a top-priced 7-2 third favourite, having been as big as 6-1 on Tuesday morning.

Samcro, on Tuesday a 20-1 chance with Paddy Power but as short as 8-1 elsewhere, has two novice entries at the Dublin Racing Festival and Elliott said on Tuesday: "We've left him in the three Grade 1s at the weekend and are leaving our options open as long as possible.

Samcro: entered in three Grade 1s at Leopardstown over the weekendCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'm leaning towards running him in one of the novice races – the Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle over two miles six furlongs on Saturday or the Deloitte Hurdle over two miles on Sunday. We'll wait and see."

The acceptors for the Irish Champion Hurdle also include the Elliott- trained Mick Jazz, winner of the Ryanair Hurdle over the course and distance last month, and Supasundae who ran Apple's Jade to half a length in the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle over three miles at Leopardstown last month.

Jessica Harrington said of Supasundae, winner of the Coral Cup last season: "He's in great order. He'll have a breeze tomorrow morning and is all set for Saturday."

Final declarations for the Irish Champion Hurdle and for all other races at Leopardstown on Saturday will be made 48 hours beforehand on Thursday morning.

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