Willie Mullins’ Faugheen makes his return in Sunday’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown racecourse
FAUGHEEN is set to make his eagerly-anticipated return to action in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.
The former Champion Hurdler has been out of action since January 2016 and connections have admitted to feeling a degree of apprehension ahead of his return.
"We're counting down the minutes to Sunday," said Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father.
"He had a short summer break as he was in training last year around Punchestown so we kept him going, but he's had two years off and is nine going on 10.
Start your Cheltenham wallet today
The road to Cheltenham starts HERE.
Bet £10 or more at any of the races at and Sun Bets will give you a £2 free bet to use at the Cheltenham Festival.
It kicks off at Cheltenham itself with The November Meeting this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
"We're a little bit apprehensive, but John Cobb, who rides him every day, feels he is back to where he is happy with him and he's ready to start.
"When he won the Irish Champion Hurdle he was extraordinary.
"If he comes back to that sort of form he'll be very hard to beat, but he's an older horse now and he's had two years off, so it's not realistic to expect a performance like that on Sunday."
Vroum Vroum Mag is another on a comeback mission for the yard having disappointed for the first time in her career when last seen in April.
MOST READ
"Vroum Vroum Mag is very versatile. A lot of the time we pigeonhole horses, but she's won over two miles and three miles over both hurdles and fences," said Mullins.
"She finished lame after Punchestown, which was why she disappointed there, but my mother rides her every morning and is very happy with her.
"She is not going to be a pushover, she's a solid Grade 1 mare and Faugheen will have to be somewhere near his best to beat her.
"There's Jezki, another Champion Hurdle winner, too - it's a very competitive race and it will be hugely exciting.
"Hopefully we can get him there and, more importantly, he will be all right on Monday morning so we can work on from there."
Jezki and Campeador both represent JP McManus for Jessica Harrington and Gordon Elliott respectively.
Elsewhere on the card, Presenting Percy is the headline act in the Liam & Valerie Brennan Memorial Florida Pearl Novice Chase.
He won the Pertemps Final in March and was impressive on his chasing debut at Galway.
"You'd have to be very impressed with him the first day," said rider Davy Russell.
"But, I rode the second horse the next day and he disappointed. I'm sure Pat Kelly will have him right, he does a great job with him."
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Cheltenham - Premier Bond: 'Today’s 3m4f trip should be ideal and ground conditions are also in his favour'
2.25 Cheltenham - Kylemore Lough: 'Every chance he will bounce back to his best after switching to in-form Harry Fry'
2.45 Lingfield - Victory Bond: 'Always thought he was up to this level and won on his all-weather debut last time out'
3.00 Cheltenham - Thomas Campbell: 'The ground will be ideal and today’s slightly longer trip won’t be a problem'
3.15 Lingfield - Gifted Master: 'Good form in the book and won't have a problem with today's surface'
3.35 Cheltenham - Coup De Pinceau: 'Looks well treated and a stronger pace and stiff finish should be right up his street'
Gordon Elliott runs both Shattered Love and Jury Duty.
"She was entitled to win the last day, but didn't jump great. Hopefully she'll be better next time," Elliott told At The Races of Shattered Love.
