Evergreen Faugheen goes down fighting on fifth Festival appearance

The evergreen Faugheen went down fighting on his fifth appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing a fine third to fellow pointing graduate Samcro in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Entering the race following back-to-back Grade 1 victories at Limerick and Leopardstown respectively, the 12-year-old veteran held every chance in the 2m 4f contest coming down the hill, however he could not match Samcro and Melon in the closing stages, and was ultimately only beaten by one-length.

"Faugheen ran a cracker. He'd done everything right at home and passed his test winning three times in Ireland and there wasn't any excuse not to bring him back,” said trainer Willie Mullins.

"Paul (Townend) felt he made one mistake that cost him any chance he'd had of winning.”
 
Rich Ricci, whose wife Susannah owns Faugheen, was delighted to see the veteran perform so well.
 
"That was magic, it was a great race," said Ricci. "If he'd winged the third last he might have got there but obviously the wind op had worked for Samcro and it's great for the O'Leary’s, who put a lot into the game.
 
"We were in the shop window today but he showed that older horses can do it and if they love it, why not?
 
"Just hearing them say beforehand that the horse won here in 2014 and 2015 and now it's 2020 and we're still here - that's magic.
 
"I'd imagine he'll go to Punchestown, I'm sure his Irish fans would love to see him there.”

The Germany gelding began his career eight years earlier, winning at Ballysteen on debut for Andy Slattery.