Faugheen the star turn, but plenty of food for thought over the weekend

Faugheen (Paul Townend) scores on his chasing debut in the Naas Oil Beginners Chase at Punchestown on Saturday

Faugheen (Paul Townend) scores on his chasing debut at Punchestown on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It was an interesting two days at Punchestown at the end of an eventful week, and we can be thankful for some soft ground which has been key to getting the good horses out earlier this season.

The chasing debut of Faugheen at the age of 11 on Saturday was going to be a hard act to follow, and his performance did leave one anticipating more as it left some questions unanswered.

He still has a lot of his raw ability, as he showed in the way he picked up from the second-last, but the jarring mistake he made at halfway combined with how it affected his jumping for most of the second half of the race is the residual doubt. How would Faugheen fare if that happened against Grade 1 performers?

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Justin O'HanlonReporter

Published on 18 November 2019inNews

Last updated 17:23, 18 November 2019

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