Faugheen very much on the upgrade

Faugheen made a smooth transition to hurdling when cantering home under Ruby Walsh in the two mile six maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

It’s now three from three for the smart five-year-old Germany gelding as he had previously won his point-to-point in Ballysteen in April last year and his bumper at this track in May.

The 1/5 favourite travelled well in fourth and took closer order after the second last as he made his move to track Oscar Chimes Rounding the home turn he got a run up the inside to ease away from Oscar Chimes and despite fiddling the last strolled home by six and a half lengths.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: “It was very straightforward, but Ruby said he was very keen. He was too keen jumping and he probably would have been better running over a shorter trip as he was just so keen.

“He can come back in trip and we’ll see where he goes from here. Hopefully he comes out of this alright.”

Mullins is considering the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle in mid-December as an option. Chute Hall at 4/1 got up to beat Oscar Chimes (33/1) for second. There was a length and a half between the pair.

Paddy Power cut Faugheen from 16/1 to 12/1 for the Albert Bartlett and Neptune novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson