After three epic days of racing, Leopardstown officials expect the crowd to be down a little for the final Christmas festival fixture — but the presence of the mighty Faugheen will ensure the turnstiles are in no need of oiling for a while yet. His presence in the pivot event, the Ryanair Hurdle, is not so much about fuelling betting interest but the chance to marvel at virtuosity. This looks the simplest task that Faugheen has faced as a grade-one hurdler, with stablemate Cilaos Emery apparently the chief threat. Faugheen should be a comfortable victor in the Ryanair Hurdle RYAN BYRNE/INPHOIf Faugheen fails to fire, the mount of David Mullins can probably pick up the pieces; he beat Melon as a novice and, despite looked unsuited by the distance, finished a respectable fourth in the Hatton’s…

Source: The Times December 29, 2017 00:00 UTC