Updated 19.25

FAUGHEEN CEMENTED HIS status as the one to beat with another superstar performance in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Bookmakers immediately slashed his odds for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle to as little as even money (Coral, Stan James) with Ladbrokes’ 7/4 the biggest ante-post price out there.

Willie Mullins’ machine was sent off the 4/11 favourite and moved into position behind frontrunner Blue Heron two flights from home.

Ruby Walsh never needed to ask a question as he cruised home to win by eight lengths from Purple Bay (11/1) with Blue Heron a further nine lengths back in third.

“He jumped great barring the last, but the race was over,” Walsh told Channel 4.

He does not lack speed or pace.

It was the only highlight of the afternoon for owner Rich Ricci who saw the fancied Vautour and Champagne Fever both defeated.

Vautour was sent off the 1/4 favourite for the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase, the feature on the opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, but was stunned by 8/1 shot Clarcam.

Clarcam and Bryan Cooper celebrate in the rain. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The Gigginstown challenger, ridden by Bryan Cooper, was an easy 17-length winner from Ted Veale and Vautour who dead-heated in second, the latter never really travelling after a mistake a few fences from home.

It added to a disappointing day for Mullins who took the day’s opening race with Alvisio Ville (1/2 fav) in the colours of JP McManus, but then saw his hotpot juvenile hurdler Kalkir turned over by 33/1 outsider Fiscal Focus in the Grade Two Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls and Noel Fehily celebrate. David Davies David Davies

The day’s big race at Kempton, the King George VI Chase, went the way of Paul Nicholls once more as 2013 winner Silviniaco Conti (15/8 fav) made it back-to-back wins in the three-mile feature.

Dynaste was four-and-a-half lengths back in second with Al Ferof third and Champagne Fever, sent off off the 9/2 second favourite for the Mullins/Ricci team, just outside the place money in fourth.

Leopardstown – Results

• 12.15 – 1. Alvisio Ville (1/2 fav) 2. Baily Cloud (16/1) 3. Aengus (10/1)
• 12.50 – 1. Rock On The Moor (12/1) 2. Velvet Maker (11/4 2fav) 3. Golden Boot (10/1)
• 1.20 – 1. Fiscal Focus (33/1) 2. Kalkir (4/7 fav) 3. Prussian Eagle (12/1)
• 1.50 – 1. Westerners Son (16/1) 2. Follow The Sign (11/1) 3. Miradane (16/1)
• 2.20 – 1. Forty Foot Tom (10/1) 2. Treat Yourself (9/2 fav) 3. Jacksonslady (20/1)
• 2.55 – 1. Clarcam (8/1 J2fav) 2. Ted Veale (25/1) 2. Vautour (1/4 fav)
• 3.25 – 1. Space Cadet (13/2) 2. First Figaro (10/1) 3. Easy Street (7/4 fav)

– First published 15.00

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