Kempton a perfect fit for Faugheen Owner Rich Ricci hopes the decision to send Faugheen across the Irish Sea for the second time this season will pay dividends in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. One of last season's star novices following breathtaking displays at Cheltenham and Punchestown, the six-year-old made a flying start to the new campaign in last month's Coral Hurdle at Ascot. The obvious home target for the current Champion Hurdle favourite would have been the Ryanair Hurdle on December 29, but with esteemed stable companion Hurricane Fly set to meet current champion Jezki at Leopardstown, Faugheen heads for Sunbury. Ricci said: "There isn't much for him. I've got 50 or 60 horses with Willie and Christmas time in Ireland will see a match between Jezki and Hurricane Fly in the Ryanair Hurdle. "Being a second-season novice, I'm not keen to take those two on too quickly. "The Christmas Hurdle seems like a great race to take in. "I've a lot of respect for Irving and Paul Nicholls, of course, but we will have to see what happens. "I'd love to win the Christmas Hurdle."
