A 10-length win for the Mullins-trained nine-year-old sparked a surge of ante-post bets.
Faugheen returned from a 665-day lay off today to win the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. ‘The Machine’ jumped competently, lead throughout and when asked to go, pulled away from the field in style. The performance was as convincing as they come and punters were quick to load up on the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner repeating the feat in 2018.
93.5% of all bets placed on the Champion Hurdle after the race have been on the Mullins horse and he shot to the head of the market above the likes of Buveur Dair and Defi Du Seuil. Available as big as 10/1 this morning, Faugheen is now as short as 15/8, whilst you can still get 5/2 with a few firms.
Paul Townend, who deputised on board in place of the injured Ruby Walsh, said after the race: "He was deadly, unbelievable - he looks as good as ever. I wanted to keep it simple, I thought I was on the best horse and the best way to get him beat was to complicate it. It worked out - he's a very, very good horse."
He's back! What a performance from Faugheen as he scoots to victory in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at @punchestownrace: pic.twitter.com/kEXAFiKJfF
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 19, 2017
