Faugheen entered in Irish Champion

Faugheen is on course to make his long-awaited return in Sunday's BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 2015 Champion Hurdle winner impressed when landing the Grade One 12 months ago before injury prevented him from defending his title at Cheltenham.

Without a run since, the nine-year-old is finally showing signs of his old self and will face a a maximum of five rivals if he gets the green light to run at Leopardstown on Sunday.

He is joined in the race by stable companions Footpad, Ivan Grozny and Nichols Canyon, while Henry de Bromhead has declared Petit Mouchoir, who won the Ryanair Hurdle over course and distance at the Christmas Festival.

Joseph O'Brien's Ivanovich Gorbatov completes the entries.

Faugheen's stablemate Min heads the eight possibles for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase on the same card.

Willie Mullins charge was an impressive winner at the track over Christmas and he is currently second favourite for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

Mullins is responsible for five of the entries with American Tom, Bleu Et Rouge, Royal Caviar and Listen Dear also among the possibles.

Identity Thief had been expected to be Min's main opposition last time but he was pulled up early on last time but connections will be hoping for a better outcome this time, while his trainer Henry de Bromhead has also the option of running Some Plan.

Ball D'Arc from Gordon Elliott's yard completes the entries.

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