Best ignore the post I've just put on the Cheltenham thread then! If she's out for the rest of the term surely the only option to Rich Richtea, the heir to the buscuit tin fortune, is too retire the old girl to the breeding shed. She'll be a 10YO come the 2018 Festival an age that these days, in NH racing, is very advanced to be competing at the 'top table'.
Very sad that she won't be able to defend her crown, a fine champion who has done connections proud with her consistency and versatility. I personally hope she will be seen racing again this season, perhaps at the Punchestown festival for a swan song before heading off to the breeding sheds? If Faugheen flops on Sunday it will be looking like a desperately weak Champion Hurdle, but if he hoses up I expect him to be 1/3 fav for the Champion Hurdle.
Massive shame. Thankfully she did get her chance to run in a Champion because at one stage she looked like being wasted in the mares events forever. It was obvious to anyone watching her and looking into the form that she was Champion class and I am glad she showed it last year.
Agree, what a mare she was/is. Be pretty sure retirement beckons for her, Susannah Ricci wanted to retire her last summer and as she'll be approaching double digits in years it seems the sensible option now. Her best performance for me was the Aintree Hurdle demolition, beating useful geldings on the bridle. That trip was just her optimium, she made them look very ordinary that day. Super mare
Would never happen the one horse who it wouldn't matter that he was giving away 6lbs to her. He's not nicknamed Faugheen The Machine for nothing !!
I think, Wooly, you are overlooking the fact that on gs going Annie won the Ch hurdle easily and running on strongly up the hill in 3 mins 45.1s (ie 5.9s fast), whereas Faugheen, also gs going, was hard pressed to beat a closing Arctic Fire in 3 mins 50.9 secs - almost 6 secs slower over the same 2m 87 yds. That is a lot of ground to make up. Annie all day long for me
