Faugheen tops powerful Mullins Neptune team Faugheen heads a seven-strong team from the Willie Mullins stable for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday. The six-year-old tops the betting for the two-mile five-furlong Grade One on the strength of a perfect record to date in three races over the smaller obstacles, plus a bumper and a point-to-point. Mullins has also left in Briar Hill, Rathvinden, Renneti, Sure Reef, Valseur Lido and Vautour after 29 horses were confirmed at the six-day stage. Main opposition to the Mullins battalion on the home front is expected to come from David Pipe's duo of Red Sherlock and Un Temps Pour Tout, while Nicky Henderson's four possibles include Royal Boy and Captain Cutter. Oliver Sherwood's Deputy Dan and Lac Fontana from Paul Nicholls' stable are other interesting contenders. Mullins is responsible for three of the 28 horses confirmed for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on the same day. He has saddled a record eight previous winners of the Grade One event, including the last two renewals, and this year looks set to rely upon Black Hercules, Shaneshill and Killultagh Vic. Dermot Weld also has a strong hand, with Silver Concorde and Vigil still in the mix. Other leading contenders from across the Irish Sea include Tony Martin's Golantilla, third in last year's Champion Bumper, and the Philip Fenton-trained Value At Risk. Heading the home team is unbeaten four-year-old Modus, who is in the care of fledgling trainer Robert Stephens. The son of Motivator bolted up on his Exeter debut in October and was even more impressive when winning in Listed company at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Stephens said: "We've done exactly what we've wanted to do with him since New Year's Day and I'm very pleased with him. He did his last piece of serious work on Wednesday and it is just a case of getting him there now. It is very exciting and we're all looking forward to the day." John Ferguson's Musselburgh scorer El Namoose and Steve Gollings' Definitly Red are also in the shake-up following the latest entry stage.
