Faugheen© Photo Healy Racing
Faugheen could be among the Willie Mullins-trained team heading to France later this month, according to Ruby Walsh.
While the jockey himself faces a race against time to be in the saddle if the 10-year-old does run, the possibility of him making the trip is mouthwatering.
Winner of the 2015 Champion Hurdle, Faugheen had appeared a shadow of the horse he once was in defeats at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, but stepped up to three miles at Punchestown last week and blitzed the opposition by 13 lengths.
“I’d love to be back racing by Auteuil. For fans of the jumps looking for something to do with their summer, there are two excellent days of racing in Paris coming up on the 19th and 20th of May,” said Walsh in his Paddy Power blog.
“All you have to do is look at what Willie might send, including Djakadam for the Grand Steeplechase. We’re also looking at possibly sending over Faugheen, Saglawy, Mr Adjudicator and Stormy Ireland, maybe even Penhill.
“So that’s where I’d love to be. Whether I’ll be there or not is a completely different matter.
“The leg itself feels good and the rehab is going well. But it’s taking time. I’m flat out in the gym and I’m making progress. The next fortnight or 17 days will tell. We’ll give it every chance.
“But my surgeon will have to be very happy with my leg before he lets me ride again. Given the calibre horse we’ll be sending to France, that’s where I hope to be. Whether that’s realistic — well, only time will tell."
