Faugheen and Ruby Walsh fly the last to give trainer Willie Mullins his sixth straight win in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Updated 15.55

FAUGHEEN SENT OUT an ominous warning to any would-be Cheltenham challengers with a sensational victory in the BHP Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Up against the only horse to ever beat him, Nichols Canyon, and last year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire, Faugheen (3/10 fav) made a strong Grade 1 field look distinctly average.

He cantered to a 15-length victory in the hands of Ruby Walsh as bookmakers immediately slashed his odds to 4/11 for a successful defence in the Cotswolds in March.

Arctic Fire (8/1) was second with Nichols Canyon (10/3 2fav) a further 13 lengths back in third.

“He’s just blown away any little doubts we had,” winning trainer Willie Mullins told RTÉ afterwards.

“He has huge cruising speed and when he had to jump today alongside Nichols Canyon, who is a fantastic jumper, he jumped with him every step of the way.

That was a fantastic performance.

Earlier, Douvan and A Toi Phil ensured that Mullins got the afternoon off to a flying start.

Douvan was the overwhelming favourite for the Grade 1 Arkle Novice Steeplechase and justified that position with a comfortable win. Ruby Walsh was on board as Douvan cantered clear of Velvet Maker and Domesday Book.

Before that A Toi Phil had won for Mullins in the Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle. Bryan Cooper was on board in the Gigginstown colours as the 6-4 favourite triumphed.

A Toi Phil clears the last before winning. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The opener was a victory for JP McManus as Barry Geraghty rode Don’t Touch It to victory in the maiden hurdle.

Don't Touch It, ridden by Barry Geraghty, won the opener. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Leopardstown – Sunday results

12.50 – 1. Don’t Touch It (8/11 fav), 2. Beau Mome (9/4), 3. Lip Service (14/1)

1.20 – 1. A Toi Phil (6/4 fav), 2. Acapella Bourgeois (11/4), 3. Woodland Opera (5/2)

1.55 – 1. Douvan (1/14 fav), 2. Velvet Maker (16/1), 3. Domesday Book (14/1)

2.30 - 1. The Mooch (16/1), 2. Just Get Cracking (13/2), 3. Forty Foot Tom (12/1)

3.05 – 1. Faugheen (3/10 fav), 2. Arctic Fire (8/1), 3. Nichols Canyon (10/3 2fav)

3.35 – 1. Bearly Legal (10/1), 2. Kayf Supreme (5/1), 3. On The Shannon (11/1)

4.05 – 1. Village Mystic (4/7 fav), 2. Jack Dillinger (4/1 2fav), 3. Lakeside Castle (16/1)

– Additional reporting by Fintan O’Toole

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