Faugheen returns to winning ways at Kempton

An injection of pace turning into the home straight helped Faugheen return to winning ways in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Having lost his unbeaten record to stablemate Nichols Canyon in the Morgiana Hurdle on his return to action this season, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old had a question to answer for the first time in his career.

Ruby Walsh set out to keep it simple by making all on the reigning champion hurdler, but the field were still closely grouped coming out of the back straight.

Without Walsh seemingly making an effort, however, Faugheen (1-4 favourite) sprinted clear and the race was over in a matter of strides.

Approaching the last Walsh made sure he did not make a mistake and he was eased down close home to beat The New One by seven lengths.

The New One was finishing second again after filling the same spot in 2013.

Walsh said: “We went a good gallop, when I gave him a squeeze turning in he started to extend and when I really got hold of him going to two out he pinged it. He quickened really, really well. It was a really good performance. I’m delighted.

“The turn of foot he showed today at the second-last he didn’t show at Punchestown.

“When all is said and done he has beaten those, whether he’s capable of beating Nichols Canyon only time will tell.”

Earlier Lizzie Kelly rode into the history books when Tea For Two jumped immaculately to win the Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

No other lady had ridden a Grade One winner of a chase in Britain, but backers of the 9-4 chance never really had an anxious moment.

Kelly kept her mount, trained by stepfather Nick Williams, wide throughout, and bar being interfered with a couple of times when rivals were jumping out to their left, she stayed on strongly to defeat Southfield Royale.

Despite racing keenly throughout the first mile of the race, Tea For Two was able to quicken up when Noel Fehily tried to steal a march turning into the straight.

For a few strides Kelly shook her mount up, but he responded impressively and ended up winning by four lengths, in a race formerly known as the Feltham Chase.

Kelly had nearly landed a Grade One in France when Aubusson was narrowly beaten by Thousand Stars in France and could have been forgiven for thinking her chance had gone.

On this display, however, there will be plenty more big days for Tea For Two and his proud jockey.

Kelly said: “It’s awesome, I’m absolutely delighted and to do it on this horse is just fantastic.

“He’s always been something we were really proud of and today he has shown everyone what he’s worth.

“At two out I thought ‘we’re going to win the Feltham!’. It’s some feeling and he’s got some turn of foot in that last half a mile — he’s awesome.

“I was worried he didn’t switch off as well as I thought he would, but his jumping got me out of a few problems early on.”