Well-oiled Faugheen ‘The Machine’ underlines class in sensational Champion Hurdle victory

Another day and another Willie Mullins 1-2.

Racing fans at Leopardstown were treated to an absolute masterclass as Faugheen blitzed the five horse field to take the big feature at Leopardstown this afternoon, the Champion Hurdle. The Ruby-Walsh mount led from the front and eased his way around the track in a performance that his trainer Willie Mullins described as his best ever. The Closutton based trainer told RTE afterwards that he was hugely pleased by the horses performance,

"I've never seen the horse jump as well, and he away any doubts we had around him."

His stable mate Arctic Fire came home second, 15 lengths behind the star-mount, and 'The Machine' is well set for a major tilt at Cheltenham in around 8 weeks time. https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/691276823741669377 The reaction from racing fans online was one of pure admiration https://twitter.com/punchestownrace/status/691278188765450241 https://twitter.com/laherne95/status/691278190938099712 https://twitter.com/AshIveson/status/691278119429378049 https://twitter.com/sportsdes/status/691276736345014273 https://twitter.com/BrennanP74/status/691279965258698752 Earlier in the day Ruby Walsh cruised to victory on board Douvan in the  Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown. He was hardly troubled as he cantered home to win by 15 lengths, Douvan surged effortlessly clear to win as he from Velvet Maker with Doomsday Book third.