Cheltenham Festival 2019: Penhill and Faugheen lead strong challenge for Willie Mullins in Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle
Mullins is pleased with his top-class pair ahead of the £325,000 Grade 1
PENHILL is on course to defend his crown in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle.
Willie Mullins' top stayer will line up alongside his brilliant stablemate Faugheen in the £325,000 contest.
Penhill, 6-1 second favourite for the Stayers' at Cheltenham, has been off the track since April.
He won at the Festival on his reappearance last season, so the lack of a run this term is no concern to the Irish champion trainer.
Mullins said: "He's fine. He went away yesterday and is coming along nicely.
"I hope we can get him there. Every morning you're looking at him to make sure that he's all right.
IT'S A DISGRACE Charlie Fellowes slams prize-money at ARC tracks
"He's going to have a few more searching bits of work between now and Cheltenham.
"To me, he was never going to have a run before Cheltenham this season.
"I spoke to the connections, and decided that's what we'd do.
"You'd rather get runs into them - but what's the point in running in Punchestown or Leopardstown and finding out you can't get him to Cheltenham?
"Last year it wasn't the plan - it's just the way it worked out. This year, it seemed the obvious thing to do."
Faugheen, 8-1 for the Stayers', beat Penhill in the Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown when the pair last met.
But the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner has not been seen since suffering a heavy fall in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in December.
Mullins said: "He goes for the Stayers' Hurdle and is in good form.