The ‘machine’ is in full working order
The ‘machine’ is in full working order
The Dublin Racing Festival was just brilliant. And the headlines were dominated by a twelve-year-old novice chaser. Faugheen won his third race over fences, beating Easy Game. That horse had beaten Allaho, who in turn won his next race by twenty-one lengths.
But the reception for Faugheen was amazing.
One of the differences between Flat racing and the jumps is that we get years of pleasure from our national hunt heroes. Faugheen missed nearly two of his peak years but has now been reinvented as a fledgling chaser.
I am not sure how much more we will get from this incredible horse but just imagine the scenes at Cheltenham should this two time festival winner secure a hat trick.
Red hot
He is in both the Marsh Chase and the RSA and both races, even by Cheltenham standards, are looking red hot.
Delta Work won the Irish Gold Cup from Kemboy and is up to second favourite in some books.
Chacun Pour Soi was back on the winning trail when he beat Min in the Dublin Chase. A Plus Tard was a non-runner so the rematch from Christmas didn’t happen.
Honeysuckle won the Irish Champion Hurdle but only just. Darver Star, rated nearly a stone lower, was only half a length behind. And the winner was getting the 7lb mares’ allowance.
Petite Mouchoir does give the form a solid look though, as he has been thereabouts in the top Irish hurdles this season. Honeysuckle is likely to go for the Mares Hurdle rather than the Champion Hurdle.
I am starting to get very excited.
