Fabulous Faugheen turns back the years to outclass Samcro in Grade 1 novice

It was a mouthwatering clash on paper, but the perceived wisdom that Samcro would prove too good for an ageing Faugheen was well and truly turned on its head by the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner, who belied his age to defeat his younger opponent by a comprehensive ten lengths on just his second start over fences in his new career at the age of 11.

Under Patrick Mullins there was no sign of the mistakes which almost marred his chasing debut at Punchestown in November. He bowled along in front from a circuit out before being joined by Samcro from the third-last to the top of the straight. An expectant crowd waited for Jack Kennedy to press the button on Samcro, but it was Mullins who got the greater response from his mount.

Once he took over jumping the second-last the race was over and a brilliant jump at the final fence showed just how much Faugheen had in the tank. It was a most impressive display.

“He was electric and jumped fantastically,” said the winning rider, who last rode this horse to win a bumper at Punchestown in 2013.

He added: “He made one mistake at the last on the far side which let Samcro upsides, but my plan was to wind it up from there and we did. By the time we got to the home straight I knew I had Samcro off the bridle and I knew my fellow would keep finding. When I needed big jumps at the last two I got them. He loves chasing, it turns him on. You can feel it.

“This was the plan – off that is he an RSA horse? We won’t rule any race out.””

Faugheen in numbers

1 fall in 24 starts
16 wins
10 Grade 1 wins
5 jockeys who have won on him under rules
6 times he has not started favourite (including at Limerick) from 24 starts under rules
51 miles covered when completing races
177 highest RPR (when winning 2016 Irish Champion Hurdle)
100 per cent record over fences

Speaking from Kempton, trainer Willie Mullins said: “To go toe-to-toe with Samcro over the last six furlongs I thought was very good. He did what he always does, he galloped and he jumped. We’ll look forward to the Dublin Racing Festival now.

“He hasn’t got much mileage on the clock and to me it’s about mileage rather than age. He’s fresh and well, more so than last season.

“Going three miles over hurdles is very hard on horses. Chasing is much easier on him. He enjoyed himself and he and Patrick seemed to get on like a house on fire.”

Despite his advancing years the sky looks the limit over fences for Faugheen, who was cut to 7-1 (from 16) for the Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by Paddy Power.

The drawing board for Samcro has grown larger again. There were no excuses here and how little he found off the bridle compared to Faugheen was quite stark.

Gordon Elliott’s assistant trainer Ian Amond said: “Going to the second-last he looked like giving Faugheen a run for his money, but the other fellow quickened away and beat him fair and square.

“You would have to be a bit disappointed.”

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