Would fences work for Faugheen? It's a yes from Ruby Walsh

Willie Mullins is toying with the idea of sending Faugheen over fences at the age of 11 and the man who knows him best thinks a switch to chasing would be a shrewd move.

Ruby Walsh was on board Faugheen for 16 of his 21 starts over hurdles, including his finest hour in the 2015 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and the recently retired rider thinks chasing could be the best route to more success this season.

Walsh said: "He began his career by winning a point-to-point and if he hadn't been such a brilliant hurdler, he would have been sent over fences long before now I'd imagine.

Faugheen leads the Aintree Hurdle under Ruby Walsh before being pulled upCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"At this stage I would say that going over fences would look the easiest avenue to winning more races."

Faugheen is a 16-1 shot for the Racing Post Arkle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, and as big as 40-1 for both the RSA and the JLT Novices' Chase.

The son of Germany turns 12 in January and was last seen pulling up at halfway in the Aintree Hurdle won by Supasundae back in April. Prior to that he was third to Paisley Park in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

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