Mullins trio set for Irish Champion Hurdle Willie Mullins confirmed his formidable trio of Faugheen, Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire on course for the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. The unbeaten record of last year's Champion Hurdle hero Faugheen went up in smoke when he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Nichols Canyon in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November, but he showed his true colours when successfully defending his Christmas Hurdle crown at Kempton. Nichols Canyon also struck gold last month with a determined display in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown. But Arctic Fire, runner-up to legendary former stable companion Hurricane Fly in last season's Irish Champion Hurdle before chasing home Faugheen at Cheltenham, is on a recovery mission after disappointing on his first start over three miles at Leopardstown over Christmas. "They all appear good at the moment," said Mullins, who won the Grade One for the last five years with Hurricane Fly. "Hopefully they all stay that way and we'll see them all on Sunday."
